New Years Eve Day

Such a beautiful day. Warm, sunny, bright snow. Amazing to be able to spend time with Zaina.

Didn't expect her to catch me today, as she was busy having her bum licked by her over-the-fence boyfriend, plus thought that last time's extreme friendly game might have pushed her over the limit. So I just moseyed around, and when I looked up here she was coming, ear's forward, ready for hugs! So what did she teach me - Don't make Assumptions!

Very glad had already planned for undemanding time, as don't think I would have been savvy enough to leave well enough alone. As it was, she took me to the front of the property and pawed through snow for grass while I sat and soaked in the sun. Later she moseyed back to the barn.

Sigh.

Extreme Friendly Game

Z had a difficult time synching with me today. I was with her, but she was elsewhere. Needed to get more provocative but still maintain her confidence, so went on a touch it tour, and then walking and trotting  stick to me. Walk was great, trot was okay - but that is fabulous, because this is the first time I lost her at the trot. She was a teensy bit fast, and her head was up, but I stayed with her instead of trying to slow her down. Great fun!

Then worked on moving forequarters one step at a time, in order to move toward forequarter 360 turn on 22' line. Otherwise she rushes forward, and then back. The one step at a time helped a lot.

THEN, 1 hour spent on extreme friendly game with foam poles. She's been spooking when I bring them to her, so did everything under the sun (that I know of) to get her to relax. Interesting, RBE but no RBI. So I kept going. At one point she got tangled in the rope, and I let her go. She ran RBE away, but slowed and TROTTED SIDEWAYS OUT of the rope that was wrapped around both front legs!!!! Then looked at me with ears forward, and no anxiety. AMAZING. Thank you Pat and Linda for the sideways game. Pre-parelli this would have been another maniacal disaster.

So, kept going with the friendly game, at one point putting the poles on my head, which made her more curious and she wasn't as scared. Lots of tries to get them near her, then touching her, then on her back, which made her wild, for awhile, but then she settled. Ended session when she could walk and halt calmly with them on her back from left side. Good going girl (me and her).

I'd never before worked her completely through a spooking issue, always thought I shouldn't push the RBE. But it worked. Take the time it takes, etc etc etc.

RBI Touch It

Plan: Touch It with nose and feet, on 22' line, increasing distance

Equipment: cones in various locations, tarp, ball, upside down large garbage pail

Large pylons with ropes were in front of mirrors, causing Z stress and sending her RBI. I found myself rushing in my head to have her touch as many different things as quickly as possible. Even though I wasn't physically doing this, she noticed my emotions and shut down further. I stopped, gave her stretches, and played with lead by the leg, this brought her out of it, and me too!  Instead of thinking about touching everything, I slowed myself way down and focused on each item individually and Z's response to it. I'm learning, slowly but surely, as well.

Today Z taught me:  Can direct Z to touch familiar things from longer distance, but new things, or when in a new place (eg. cones in different places than on floor) she needs me close to teach her what she is supposed to do, or maybe to give her confidance.

With the tarp, I sat on the garbage pail and directed her from more than 10 feet away, yo yoing her back when her ears went back. This increased her confidence and she volunteered to touch it with her feet. Then when asked to come forward she did, with ears forward!!! Nice, we quit at that successful point.

Maybe she was more confident with the tarp today because I was further away, so not "nagging" her with my presence/pressure?

The Allow

Rewatched Level 1 DVD and was able to see details missed before. Sort of "a little more of this" and "a little less of that" kind of thing. Played with Z with this in mind.

Sideways, worked on not moving as she did, but sending her out on the rope. Found out I need to be moving my feet to begin with, but can then be still and she'll take it from there, for a few steps. Yahoo! Need to remember to look over her withers, not at her head.

Needle simulation: Great on left side, immediate relaxation. Right side, needed phase 4 repeatedly but then got better. More practice.

Lead by the leg: need to immediately release leg completely ie, take string off leg, when she responds with even thinking about forward motion, otherwise she thinks she should just stand still. Isn't pulling back, but I'm not being clear.

Now, big time learning for circling game: After a few false starts, but letting her play at changing direction and gait, rather than telling her she was wrong, I figured out how to BE QUIET once she was sent, and she did 4 LAPS at a walk, without changing gait, direction, and seemed to be looking where she was going. YAHOO. Learning is so much fun.

Friendly Game

When I first arrived Z pretended not to care, but it was easy to disengage her and she came over. Then I brought out her new blanket to try out, and she moved away. I just waited, chatted with someone for five minutes and she came back!!! Let me put the blanket on. As I chatted away from her again, after about 10 minutes she left her hay and came over to both of us. Neato. AND I remembered to give her a rub!

Lots of time grazing today, as I had no energy to synch with Z at first. Eventually started friendly game, as figured since my energy was way down, maybe she’d be less sensitive. Either that was working or the grass! Did lots of friendly string and rope tossing time, including over her head, and around her bum.

This helped me gain some energy (note to self) so went inside and checked out the new mirrors in the arena, then played with the mounting block as a pedestal. Achieved feet lifting toward it, with tons of encouragement.

Have noticed that Z’s walk is different now when she is being led. She’s got a much more relaxed stride, but still with energy, and she’s much more attentive to me. Leaving the barn she slows with me at the slightest indication, and doesn’t rush out. It is also much easier now to lead her from grass patch to grass patch.

Confident LB

Only able to spend a short time with Z today, but she showed even more confidence. Came right to me. 

On line she headed straight for the gate to go out into the yard. NO threshold through the gate even though she was surprised by someone walking out from a building! Then headed to the front yard for even more exploring.

I had to bring her back before she was finished grazing and she did a LB trot in circles around me to get at grass as we headed back.

Inside she responded to needle simulation and lowered her neck for her allergy serum shots.

Interesting though, I had no energy to offer her because of the sad news learned this morning about our Keisha. Z took advantage and was LB dominant in the stall, blocking me with her head, and being pushy. It is how she used to treat Classica, when Classy was lame. So I guess that Left part of her brain is gaining power!

LBI?

I think I met Ms. LBI today. Kinda challenging face when asked to circle. Initiated coming over for food treats when did what was asked. Super speedo gallop on circle, with slack rope and down to trot and coming in when asked with ears forward and bright eyes. Aha!

 Bit of RBI stuff when faced with foam poles on ground. I lightly wiggled the rope and she went back, then got kinda pissy, then shook herself out of the catatonia. Did this a few times, will see how it goes.

Very confident out in yard on grass. Took me down the driveway to mailbox. This is first time in the year we have been at the barn, that she has initiated this grazing pattern. You Go Girl!

Did traveling circles and trot changes to keep her interested given the LBI that seemed to be in the room. Hopefully didn't overdo it. We are clearly on the cusp of something/someone!

LB/RB Mirrors!

Z's left brain returned today, hooray! Challenged me to come get her in the pasture, wouldn't move her head/neck away from me until phase 2 (which for Z means press the hair), then would move really quickly, and stop. Had to shake the halter at her hiney and she thought about running away but came back!

In the arena, explored the whiteboard info about new mirror, rather than jumping at it, and walked ears forward right for the mirros (40 feet across back end). Sniffed and rubbed with her nose, got worried, moved away, came back. Played me and my shadow, she kept going to and away from the mirror. Then got sudden RBE and wanted to run so I helped her move her feet in small circles.
When she became fixated I asked her to move her feet sideways, or yo yo and she got mad at me LB. Even reared, swung her neck, "Can't you see I'm occupied!" she seemed to yell! Over time more and more interested in me, came to me as I walked backwards, ears forward (hers)!

I'm sooooo happy that I have parelli techniques and knowledge. In the past this would have been an endless RBE episode. Thank goodness I also now can have fun playing on line rather than thinking that it was important to get on and work it out that way (how dumb is that!)

Oh, and then back to the pasture, more LBE but again, came back to me after swung away. What a beautiful gal.

More Thresholds

Z was happy to play me and my shadow as she explored the arena with the new frame for the forthcoming mirrors in place. Also, for about 30 minutes gladly gave me her right eye. Then, urrrrr, put the brakes on, became tense, and almost catatonic. Feet were stuck, multiple thresholds, ears back. Took the time, held when necessary, did not urge feet (ie., game of contact), released quickly, sent back as many steps as necessary to get ears up again. Monitored my energy, and at one point closed my eyes and imagined her BEING with me, and bingo her ears came up toward me - how cool is that! But still came and went. There were lots and lots of releases though, between thresholds, so I was doing something right. Then, almost as suddenly as all this started, her ears were up and her right eye seemed to suddenly be really looking at me, or seeing me. Happy to follow me, and come to me. Then hesitant again, then resumed being happy. How so very interesting. Clearly I am the cause of much ambivalence. But  a harmonious end to our playtime.

Taking the time it takes

Played inside online, just the circling game with changes of direction.   Realized how bad and undependable my position is for changes of direction - can't be politely and passively persistent if I'm in the improper position! The latter negates the former.

Also noticed that Z keeps throwing her left eye to me, rather than giving the right eye, which makes changes impossible to do with savvy. So played with moving backwards and having her following me, but keeping straight-on and contact with right eye. Very difficult for her, but slowly improved. Then, she was able to trot happily toward me as I ran backwards!!!!!

Felt more in harmony after today's playtime than the last couple. It did feel better to just focus on one task, less pressure on her, and I could now focus on improving my savvy instead of learning/teaching the tasks. Also, realized that I had been forgetting to think about what her needs were before starting to play, rather than focusing on my goals. Tiny steps.

RBI

Z was RBI again today. Played on line inside, because of cold rain.  Set up two pylons (figure 8 at walk),
tarp (touch with feet)
deck planters, with foam ground pole (squeeze)
ball (touch it)

Was very interested in touching ball, confident RBI, and even moved it the tiniest bit with her nose. Was NOT at all interested in touching it with her legs, danced around it.
Interested in tarp, touched it confidently with front feet. Took a number of visits around it, before walked over it, but ears were back, UNTIL 45 minutes later, when food was in her stall, she walked over it confidently, ears forward.

Pretty confident walking figure 8 around pylons. I gave her praise when she came to me on return, before sending her again.

Would not go over ground pole. Moved it away, and opened up space between planters. Still unconfidant. Started to go internal, so I retreated and did other tasks. Never became confidant today with this game.

New touch it game, front feet on first step of mounting block. Was un-confident doing it on own, but okay when I lifted her leg, even allowing me to lead her by left leg to get to it when she ended up too far away. 

Played at liberty, stick to me, difficult because she wanted to go to her stall, but was able to go partway down wall away from gate. Then she left for the gate, LBE, head tossing, but that's okay.  Did lead by mane, ear and forelock, all developing well. Shaping Z is easy if I release at the SLIGHTEST try, meaning I have to feel for the try when she thinks about it. She was really floored by my not releasing her ear or mane when she walked back to the gate, and gave immediately after that! Polite and passive persistence in the proper position works, although I'm not sure I was polite enough with her ear, have to make sure I don't make her ear-shy.

Have been puzzled by the unconfident RBI today again. Maybe its the darkest before the dawn part. Maybe she's testing to see if I'll make her do things. Maybe I'm asking too much (ie., too many tasks). After reading through some of the savvy club horsemanship Q&As, next time I'll only do one task. Will do a pattern (figure 8, remembering to do it with a circle change of direction so her bad eye isn't toward me), and will do it 7 times, then quit. Then next time will do a different pattern, maybe the weave, 7 times then quit.

I'm also going to create a horsenality diagram to keep track of what she displays each time. Should be interesting.

RBE/RBI today

What an interesting day.  Z was RBE when played the friendly game with CS and SS as she grazed. Before and after a play session, she was very sensitive to my movements and the touch of the ss, and kept putting me on her left side (bad eye side).

Played in the outdoor ring, after me and my shadow, set out my deck planters as a squeeze game (3 feet). No problem going over cavaletti with me on the left and sending her over, but she stalled with the planters. This time I just waited. After a moment, I thought she was snoozing with her eyes shutting down, but then noticed that her nostrils were doing what Allures' did in the video of him going catatonic. She completely shut down! I waited, and after a few minutes (it seemed an eternity) she jerked awake. It still took a lot of approach and retreat before she was willing to walk through the opening. Repeated two more times. Each was faster, but still a high level of thresholds. VERY interesting. I've missed this before. I had thought her appearance meant she was resting/napping, but she was actually going more internal. Sigh.

When releasing her in the paddock, she walked away from me but when I looked at her butt she turned around and came right to me!!!! Treat time!

More on Contact

Z was LBE the full time I was playing the game of contact with her outside. Lots of head swinging, moderate feet moving, a bit cheeky. Not following me yet but staying in my area, eating the little grass that there is. This is a big change, as usually she would go hangout at the gate waiting for me to take her for real grass, or she would eat her hay (which she had lots of, fresh, today). I decided not to push it further, since she is also being wary of me moving toward her, VERY aware of me, and jumping away at the slightest move for awhile.

 On line indoors, she set herself up for sideways with the wall (going toward the left), so I went with it, and she did a few steps. She seemed surprised! We played at it a bit more, lots of licking and chewing. I was able to keep my feet still and gently use the CS. What an achievement!

Used the SS to lead her by the ears. This is the first time we've done this (watched it last night on level 3 dvd, preparing for liberty). I used Linda's teaching about going with the direction of the horse with contact, and holding the contact so Z would know she hadn't yet gotten it - ie., when she put her head down, thinking that is what the pressure meant. It only took a couple of tries and she got it. Lots of licking and chewing.

Circling game: walked off to the right without hesitation. Only stopped once, then kept going until asked to come in and did a nice change of direction. My CS handling is soooo much softer, and so is my body. I think that's when I asked her to continue walking she didn't get worried. To the left she needed support (eye?) with voice and walking with her for a couple of laps, but then did it well.

Figure 8 through cones, walking, 12 foot line. Hadn't played at this for a long time. She did terrific at walk. At trot did really well with first change (right eye toward me), but has trouble with the second (left - bad - eye toward me).

We quit after this. She threw her neck at me when I released her in the paddock - so not sure if she was upset, or just being cheeky. I had a good time!

Liberty Contact

Tuesday and Thursday, Nov 23 and 25 have been spent outside with Z in her paddock playing the game of contact at liberty.

On Tuesday I hoped I would get her attention, and maybe a turn in my direction. Boy, did I make an assumption. Very quickly she was moving toward me. So I persevered. As we continued she then switched back and forth from RBI (head down, not moving, licking lips) to LBE (swinging neck at me). I wasn't sure what to do with the latter, except be more provocative. What a dance I was doing. I quit when it was horsey dinner time, as I knew I couldn't compete with that, plus it would have been unfair to Z, and unhelpful to our relationship.

Thursday: Same game, very quickly she was moving toward me. But would get stuck. I was more provocative because she was not hiding or head, and was also showing left brain head tosses. After about an hour, when I was distracted by someone she charged me!!!! WHAT - LBE here she comes! I blocked her and waved my finger and she calmed down. She'd get right out of my way when I came toward her neck, but would then swing her neck at me repeatedly. Poor Z, she is probably both confused and ambivalent! Finally, after at least an hour, her feet moved with me as I moved toward the halter (not at the gate). I petted her. I almost cried. It was beautiful. I know it isn't complete, but it is a major start. I'll play this game next time as well, to solidify it.

Parelli Florida: Linda & Game of Contact

November 19-21, three days of sheer bliss at the Florida Parelli Centre auditing the "Game of Contact" course taught by Linda P.  How wonderful is that!!! (It's a rhetorical question)

As soon as I received the email info on the course, I signed on. I figured I might not be able to learn the riding contact concepts, but was sure to learn a thoursand+ other things. And I did. These include:

-  what a wonderful, gracious, generous, person is Linda. A learner and teacher par excellence.
-  the serenity of the Florida centre.
-  love, language, and leadership disseminated by students
- that I could be brave enough to pet the dogs as they were walked by PP. Well, actually, getting down on my knees and getting kisses (not from PP thought). Made an entire fool of myself, but didn't care. I did it!!!

Oh, yes and about the Game of Contact, I learned about applying the principles:
---- hands that close slowly and open quickly;
---- passive and polite persistence in the proper position;
---- expect a lot, accept a little, reward often;
---- it's not about the contact;
and no doubt many  more that I cannot remember at this moment!

Other highlights:
- meeting Michele and Deana, who took me under their experienced wings,  gave me rides to the centre, and gave unconditional support.

I returned home with new knowledge, attitude, support, motivation, technique, and respect - for the Parellis, and for my beautiful mare. Understanding how blocked up she has been has left me very emotional; realizing how forgiving and hopeful she has been gives me courage.

Nov. 16, 2010 Partnership?

Another very special play day with Z. She's showing her left brain side more confidently now - head snaking when I asked for a circle, but then obedience when I persisted without getting pushy or emotional. Then SHE decided that she would trot the cavaletti - then, part way over - jump the last two! She maintained direction and looked where she was going and maintained the trot while she either swerved around or jumped over her new log obstacle.

THEN, I let her loose while I cleaned up. She let me come back to her her rub her back. I worked on lead by the tail (nope, she thought she'd lead) and lead by the ear (must release just as she is thinking of relaxing), and got a bit of a circle. Then put my arm around her neck and walked over to the halter. She reached toward it.

My heart is soaring.

Nov. 14, 2010 confidence, respect, obedience

What I learned today:

Better at Persistant and Passive Pressure in the Proper Position leads to greater confidence, obedience and respect.

Walked and trot circles, 4x - no problem!
Worked on canter circles. Went ballistic. Worked at figuring out what to do. Settled on a million transitions. This finally settled her into an obedient left brain partner.
And afterwards, as I had her in a walk, I filled in the ground gouges - she kept circling me, offering changes of direction when got to the fence (I think she thought I asked for them) for at least 5 minutes. How interesting.....

Nov 11, 2010 LBE Mare!?!

Whew, what a play day! Started off with the arrival of a confidant RBI, who then transformed into a confidant and playful and somewhat dominant LBE!!!! So I went from channeling Linda P, to channeling Pat - it worked well.

Played outside after about 15 minutes of grass munching (horses had not been out the day before, and Z was still in when I arrived at 11:30). Then proceeded to the outdoor ring. Worked on thresholds that came up (poles on ground; squeezing between car and shed). Very windy.

Z was a little RBI in going over cavaletti, but not bad. Went through water in ring without a concern. Unconfidant with squeeze game between parking pole and fence (over 6 feet of space).

THEN started the circle game. WELL, Miss Z walked around then said nope, she wasn't going to go around again - we were playing through the squeeze area. But this time I could tell that she was confident, cause her ears were up and she was quietly chewing. So I kept asking. And she would go, then refuse, and try to turn around. So I was persistent and we got on with things. Then I asked her to trot and she went through the same thing again, except would go into canter, insane gallop, rearing, etc., but usually not pulling the rope tight! And still with her ears up. When she put her head down and pawed the ground I could tell that it wasn't because she was worried, but because she did not want to listen to me. So we kept at it. Lots of tantrums. Lots of trying to use the cavaletti as an excuse to stop. Lots of rearing. But I was never afraid, as she listened to my finger to stay back. I was in complete neutral, no emotion on my face or in my voice except when she did well.  I'd just keep starting over.
 
Took a break, did some cavaletti walking which she now did very confidently. Filled in the holes she'd made in the dirt - making her stay back from me, which I had to be sharp about and it worked.

Came back to it (all the while going to right - as she kept trying to change directions but I wouldn't let her after the first couple of times). Finally, a nice relaxed walk, into a very nice relaxed trot. Four circles without stopping, and changed direction. Took a break for 10 minutes talking to Anne.

To the left. Started with a very nice walk, into trot. Four off the floor, giant kicks and bucks. Some rearing, but not as much. I laughed, she looked like she was having great fun, as none of this was done with her in a panic. Very quickly she was able to trot the circle, VERY nicely. Round and forward. Four circles, stopped.

Put the materials away with her calmly beside me, no more being pushy. Had some grass. Put her in her paddock while I helped Kelley. Thinking, "I'll never get a halter back on her to groom and blanket her". But she calmly let me catch and bring her in. So our relationship was good!

When I did put her out again she gave me the Arabian neck FU, probably because I hadn't let her graze again.

What a wonderfully interesting day! Wonder what horse will show up next time?????

Nov 9, 2010 CANTERING & CONFIDENCE (Z'S)

Z had much more confidence today! On-line she went up to poles with her ears up, so I just needed to encourage her and she walked over. Trotting on the circle she did the same thing, and then even confidently trotted through an opening - making a choice/decision - and maintained gait!!!!! It does feel wonderful to have gained her trust.

Mounted she again went over poles without being asked during walking passenger lesson. While trotting I "threw my heart over" the pole and it worked! Lots of exclaimation points, but it can't be helped. Amazing how this stuff works. Now if only I could remember to throw my heart over, all the time.

Trotting she was anxious to begin with but I focused on spending more time trotting rather than worrying about her being worried and thus stopping. Eventually I remembered to move my shoulders, by thinking of the "springy joint" idea. This immediately help. Note to brain - remember.

Patterns also helped again, the clover leaf and bulls eye.

Then CANTER. First try was from trot and it was not good. But then I asked from a walk and it was beautiful. Perfect transition, round, stead, I focused on sitting back. What a ride. Amazing. I only did two circles cause my heart was in my throat with fear. Then stopped and got off. I was light headed from the tension. So very very pleased with both of us.

AND this was done while kelley was lunging. I think in fact Leo's presence helped Z keep calm. What a difference from last year at this time when she was very frightened when another horse was in the arena. MANY  SMILING EMOTICONS HERE PLEASE!!!1

Nov. 7, 2010 relaxation

Finally out to play with Z today, after 4 days between times, with the horses having been in for three days because of the rain. I was amazed at how happy she was considering the confinement. Good air, and roomy stall make a huge difference.

Busy day at the barn, with Margo and her horse Willow there, so this is new for Z. Plus Kelley and Emma working horses.

Played with Z on-line as Kelley was lunging. Willow and Margo were in the area by the gate. This was distracting for Z, plus she was unconfident. Put her head to the ground a lot. I played with her very very slowly. She was happy to come back to me, ears forward, eager! Did a neat sideways against the wall, using just the end of the rope moving back and forth. At first Z thought I wanted her to go backwards, so I'd stop and get her to face the wall, and after a few times she understood. It was nice.

Did friendly game with the rope over her butt. Again very disturbing to her at first, but then quieted. Then did lead by the leg, which we haven't played for a long time. At first she was worried again by the rope, but gained confidence and we worked on taking a step, which she still doesn't understand so I needed to use the lead line to help her, but she was good with moving forward once she understood what was being asked.

When mounted I became VERY tense. Worried that she'd jump at willow being near the door. She was distracted and I mirrored her, which helped. She spooked lightly first couple times when walked into spongy area, but then relaxed. Interesting, how pre-parelli this would only have gotten worse. Walked the cloverleaf pattern and this got her concentration and settled me down.

I wasn't able to trot her. Too tense and concerned about applying what I learned yesterday at the centred riding clinic. Z jumped when Margo came to the door, which she hasn't done in ages, but I was able to immediately disengage her. She was worried about Willow being in the ring (or maybe it was all because of me????) so we walked a lot doing patterns and this helped.

I dismounted and played on-line while Margo lunged. Z was finally able to trot a circle both directions with me walking and talking to her - she is still worried about the stirrups bumping her, so this is a friendly game not a circling game.

I'm disappointed in myself for becoming nervous - and finding that old habits return - I kept staring at her neck, forgetting how uncomfortable that feels (re: yesterday's clinic). But I am also proud of myself for being savvy enough to play with her slowly, and to get off. 

Z was happy in her stall afterward, coming for lots of head rubs, so I guess I didn't do too badly by her.

Nov. 6, 2010 Centred Riding Workshop

Attended a 1.5 hr centred riding clinic/workshop with Shelley - riderless. Lots of opportunities to practice body positioning.

Learned about breathing so that my lower back moves - very relaxing and interesting in how it causes the spine to roll slightly under.

Learned how to isolate hips to relax, and other body parts.

We buddied up and sat on our 'horse' so she could say "neigh" - hahahah, when she felt the rider's body move. Very interesting how for both me and shelley the most distinct feeling was when the rider's head dropped forward. This went right through the spine to the horse. So, it must feel tight when the rider has head forward staring at the horse's head and neck!

Also learned about posting from the hip joints not the hips, and about springy joints. When joints are springy the horse can stop immediately when the rider stops.

Lots of learning - now to retain it....

Nov 2, 2010

Z is out of heat, much more confident and far less emotionally fragile.

 Excellent sideways with the wall, both directions, more speed, lower phases, slack rope. She clearly understood, seemed to enjoy it, and wanted to do more!

Set the tarp up in the question box, and this peeked her interest. Maybe gave a purpose to being within the cone zone. Couple of play paws at the tarp with lesser concern at the noise than previously. Mostly relaxed walking over.

Didn't remember to hide her hiney for stick to me when going from trot to walk - halt.

More curiosity shown toward the materials set up to play with, still lots of approach and retreat to walk over foam poles.

Lots of confidence backing up, 20 feet! 

Oct. 31, 2010 Principles in Practice

Putting Principles to Practices
Approached today with principles in mind: put the relationship first. The goal - build her confidence. How? By watching for thresholds, being particular without being critical.
Being Critical? How does it appear to the horse? To Zaina, maybe: staring at her as she tries; keep asking without waiting; ignoring thresholds.

Set up four cones as a question mark, and the foam pole. She was still worried about being "in the cone zone" so didn't go in, lots of walking around, but also getting her to pay attention to playing "stick to me." MORE particular when she swung away from me at the halt, playing "hide your hiney." Interesting - she did not get emotional when the string hit her hiney, but she did improve her halt, and when she didn't she seemed to understand that she needed to come back and stand beside me!

NICE sideways movement towards the right along the wall. I was more particular about MY directions, stopping the sideways movement and ensuring instead she wasn't going backwards. Also, more persistent.

Back to the question box for lots of approach and small retreats every time her ears went back or she hesitated. Stayed beside her head, slowly slowly she entered the "zone." First she would then walk through fairly quickly but with repeated approaches and retreats, was less emotional. Then the bigger test, sending her into it. Yes, it was okay. Then come to me over the ground pole. More approach and wait wait wait, persistently ask, wait wait wait, ask wait ask wait, her she comes and waits for instructions, all the way over. Then go the other way, comes over and stops with me, relaxed in the zone!

Excellent yo yo into her stall, no hesitation. Happy horse.

LBE Dominant Play

Had a short play session with Barb's Ben today. He hadn't been ridden this week, and people were riding in the arena. I didn't have enough savvy to recommend we not do anything. After a few minutes of being very very good standing still, he started to get fretful. I played friendly game with the carrot stick in his mouth a lot, which he liked. When I played the driving game to get him to move his neck, he did, but then I think he thought this meant "playtime!" as he does with his horse pal, Alex. He was rearing and pawing the air. Also did a couple of runs away, but didn't pull the rope taunt. He really did want to move around and play. Too much horse for me in that restrictive setting.
When in his stall he showed his tension for awhile, swinging his neck and moving around. Maybe he thought he was being punished. Barb and I stayed with him for about 1/2 an hour, goofing around with him, especially letting him mouth stuff. When he was playing with her I rubbed his head and ears to get him used to that kind of stuff, as he doesn't like it much.
A lot of approach and retreat, as he'd go from being friendly to pinning his ears. But overall, a very good boy.
Note on safety: NEVER leave a horse unattended or loose with the rope halter. Ben caught the rope on his door latch and if he had panicked would have broken his neck. 

Oct. 29, 2010 Rapport Day

Read a 2006 savvy times article on the liberty horse behavior course, and how for the first while the students were just to be with their horse and not try to direct anything. This is what I did today, to repair the damage done by last day's direct line thinking.

Spent a long time just sitting on the grass while she grazed. Later,  I took her into the outdoor ring so I could watch her without the line. She then let me walk up to her, and untangle her mane. I gave her a banana as when I wanted to take her back inside, and she then let me halter her without running away. It was a nice feeling.

Oct. 26, 2010 direct line thinking

Rode today to see if I could use my thin no-slip pad with the saddle further back. I could use it without slipping, but it was really irritating Z. Plus she's in heat, so that might have been bothering her as well. She was very good at the walk, but just wanted to run at the trot.

I had setup cones to ride the question box game, but she was very worried about being "in" the box, so did a lot of approach and retreat. Also had ground poles set out, which she didn't want to walk over on-line but was fine with under saddle, even the foam ones. At one point she caught one between her leg which was a brief freak-out, but she quickly understood she was okay. Plus after that she FINALLY picked up her back feet going over them, instead of dragging, AND was less concerned about them.

She wasn't happy by the time I got off. I should have not ridden her today. Later on read a parelli blog post about figuring out what your horse needs for that day instead of going with the "plan". Point taken. Need to not just pay attention to how she is feeling, but use that info to decide what we'll do. Direct line thinking is still winning out.

Oct 24, 2010 on line and mounted

I saddled up with the theraflex pad today. Very nice shoulder movement and room. Z immediately stretched down and snorted. She wanted to move low forward to clear her throat.
During passenger lesson at the walk she offered to go over the ground pole again!

Played point-to-point at a walk; she knew what I was thinking.
Sideways from pylon to pylon was excellent, almost no use of the reins or legs.

At the trot the pad started to irritate her big time, as it was rubbing her hip. She started to get emotional so I got off (no slipping pad!), and we did trot walk transitions on line. They are starting to come. But then the pad really got to her so we ended the session. I'll need to get a round one.

Oh, and when playing on line before riding, she did a nice sideways using the wall, toward the right, and I was able to keep a couple feet away from her - yeah!

Oct. 23, 2010 LBE

Played with Barb's Ben, this afternoon. A very LBE. Playful, dominant, mouthy, dominant, big, dogminant - did I mention dominant?

This was our fourth play session. The last one disintegrated into Ben's winning big time by pulling the rope away and running.  This time me and Barb savvied up and stayed inside. Plus she had ridden him before I arrived, which also probably helped a lot.

I spent a lot of time chatting to barb while Ben stood out on the line. Did some walk and trot circles with change of direction at walk (very nice changes). He was very pushy for many of the circles, then kept his head turned away from me, but after awhile would peek over and check-in. Was able to have him move his feet into the hoop, despite all his wanting to do was chew on it. Did some porcupine and driving games toward his neck - very hard to move away. Called it a successful day rather than pushing him over the edge!

Oct. 22, 2010 harmony play

Beautiful relationship today, on line and mounted. Change of direction on walk circle to left (change to right) was done with phase one, Z gave eye contact, and smoothly walked in new direction. Sooo nice. Not as smooth in other direction, but that's okay!

Mounted, remembered sooner and more often to use my upper body. Z is moving into trot when I use my shoulders now, is backing when I use my legs, without being pulled back. Walked a circle with very few corrections.
Best of all - first passenger lesson at the trot! Only when going to the right (I think - maybe the opposite!), but felt so very good.

When I was sitting the trot and she was anxious I finally realized I was being a clothes peg, like I used to be all the time at the walk and posting trot. When I released my thighs she released her stress.

Tried to go into a canter but she got stressed and spooked at the door. First time for that in ages, but a quick shift to relaxed again.

Shelley was visiting - so nice to show off Z. She held her while I practiced mounting from the ground on the off side. Ugh, I really had to drag myself up to the saddle. Didn't try to throw my leg over as I knew I'd thump her. She stood like a soldier through all the struggle and moaning and groaning, and the less than gracious "lowering" back to the ground. Need to get in better shape.

Z backed into her stall with phase 1, then came out nicely toward me when I was looking softly at her. I didn't ask, but took what she offered since this had become difficult. Interesting, how after just a few times of taking away my eyes and belly from her at this "ask" she's now offering when I am looking at her. Horses are sooo interesting.

When I arrived home I learned my theraflex pad is waiting at the post office. Can't wait to try it.

Oct. 19, 2010 Mounted

Hope my theraflex pad arrives soon, as my pad slips when mounting when I put it in the right position behind the scapula! When I finished riding I could really tell how much the bars are pressing on Z's bone. She greatly appreciated being rubbed hard in the area, and tried to do the same on my shoulder with her teeth!

Forgot to move my shoulders when trotting for most of today's ride. Sigh. When I did, really nice relaxed trot.

Trotted over a pole between two cones, by thinking "it's not about the pole" and going over it obliquely as I circled a cone, rather than straight on. Made a big difference to my thinking, and thus relaxation. BRAIN NOTE: REMEMBER.

Rode inside, but the wind was flicking up the dressage letters, so Z was jumpy, but didn't freak out, and my new savvy smarts helped us both keep going and get relaxed.

I think I found my balance point today. At the passenger walk I could feel her hips swinging right through mine, and she started to blow and blow almost as soon as we got started. This is such a good feeling that it's all I want to do!

Oct. 17, 2010 On Line

I really need to be less direct line when playing on line. I'm much better at this when mounted.

Brought the hula hoop today. All the horses EXCEPT Z snorted and went to the back of their stalls when I walked down the aisle. Z kept her head out of the stall with her ears pointed right toward me. Good Girl, made me feel wonderful. 

We played around it a lot, and she did step on it.

Went to the local play day meeting on saturday and got some ideas about increasing Z's tolerance for the savvy string. 1) turn completely away from her when doing friendly game with stick and string; 2) swing savvy string AWAY from her always, rather than toward her; 3) increase intensity of friendly games to desensitize her. Worked on each of these and everything helped. Did lots of friendly game with the 22 foot line on her butt - she didn't like this, and pawed the ground, but she remained okay.  She was happy in her stall afterwards so I don't think I overdid it.

Before played I did head stretches. She really liked this; her neck cracked.

Oct 14, 2010 Trailer Simulations

Today we played with trailer simulations. I hung the tarp over the two tall parking cones, about 5 feet away from, parallel to the fence. I sure watched for those thresholds, and she seemed to realize that I was taking care of that, because she had fewer and fewer of them. So instead of trying to get her desensitized by holding her in an area when afraid, I only move her closer when she's not afraid. GOT IT! Played lots of friendly game throughout. She was showing curiosity and some confidence. Next time I'll move the barrier closer to the fence.

Played friendly game with the shaker hoop, ultimately having her pull it on a 22 foot line (via a savvy string around her neck).  She got afraid when it was dragging behind her on her left (bad eye), so I went back to me pulling it, then her pulling it first close then further. Did all of this with as passenger game, so that she chose where to go and I followed, at her pace. She became happy with me to remain at Zone 3 both sides! Amazing. Next I'll try something heavier.

Played around a jump obstacle with no attempt to have her go over it. This seemed to surprise her. She did sideways game very well, and much better disengagement.

With the goal of being more particular (see oh boy - trailer post), I concentrated on moving to a phase 4 when she did not respond, especially when she stopped to eat grass.

Played sideways game without a fence as we moseyed to the ring. Difficult because of the tempting grass but she slowly got the idea. This seems a great way to get her to accept my leadership as we go to the ring to play.

A beautiful fall day. Sunny, lots of colours are out. I quit after success with the squeeze game instead of doing more. Today we did less "stuff" but the challenge was greater. Very much fun.

I think that today we began to be in harmony. What a soft happy feeling I have, and grateful to my horse.

Oct. 11, 2010 Oh Boy - Trailer!

What a special day. Arrived to find Anne had rented a trailer for a couple days so I was able to play the "it's not about the trailer game" for three hours. VERY interesting. Challenging. Had to use every arrow in my quiver during this play time. Very glad to have been going through the level 2 blue pack, as the thresholds material was probably the most helpful. Also: do not release on a brace; retreat approach retreat retreat approach etc etc; tit for tat; of course friendly game throughout, the squeeze game.
Played various games near and from from the trailer, touch it going to and from it from various directions. Mirrored her when she became anxious.
She went from not wanting to be near the trailer, to find with being near it and touching it, got anxious part way through, decided to play the yo yo game herself - back and then to the side of the trailer. She was surprised when I let her do this, and after a few times I began to yo yo her back so then she stopped doing it! INTERESTING!
At hour 3 she put both front feet on the ramp. She was a bit emotional about it, but that was enough. She was anxious afterwards eating grass but chilled out in her stall.
Very proud of myself for being able to manage my energy appropriately for the most part. It was really nice when she stood next to me, sideways to the trailer and ramp and let me stroke her all over.
I learned that I need to be clearer in my hind end disengagement technique.
Oh - and when we were not thinking about the trailer we did some circling and change of directions, much better coming to me now that I am directing my navel and eyes away from her instead of at her!

Oct. 9, 2010 Inside Mounted

First time riding in a week  but Z was very calm. Worked at fluidity concepts again of moving my shoulders with her. Didn't go as well today, rhythm wasn't steady but afterwards discovered probably why - had managed to get a knot in her saddle string pressed against her body when I girthed her. Mannnn - when I rubbed that area she stretched big time. Jeepers, of all the things....

Played the passenger game at the walk. The saddle was further back, so suddenly I could see her withers to put my hands on, before had been doing this on her neck, which did not feel secure - duh! She volunteered to walk over the ground pole a number of times - ta da!

Oct. 5, 2010 On line Outside

Feeling wretched due to antibiotics so today was lots of moseying and simple games. In the outdoor ring we watched some construction trucks, then she offered to walk and trot over the cavaletti. This after days of being unwilling to go over obstacles!

Big learning deal today - when I ask her to come to me I've been driving her away with the energy from my navel or even just by looking right at her. So I dropped my gaze and made sure my navel was turned away from her, and she came right to me.

Aug - Sept 2010 roundup

Haven't been keeping up with my blog. Not sure why. Tons of learning going on. Here's a summary of what has happened.

Purchased the old level 2 pack (blue) with Linda. Tons and tons of information. Lots of learning. I'm really glad that I bought it. It fills in a lot of gaps, and is helping me to slow down and not think of getting through stuff as much as learning how to do stuff properly.

Have played once with Shelley's Pepper. He's clearly Left Brain, very playfull but has introverted tendencies while learning. Very quick to learn, interested, and not overly dominant.

Have played a few times with Barb's Ben. He's a LBE for sure. VERY dominant. Easy to get along with until asked to do more than he thinks he should, then really wants his own way. After playing with him my communication with Z must have been racked up a notch because she seemed to suddenly be able to do things that were not easy before. Go figure? A puzzle for me to figure out.

Aug. 15, 2010 Mounted

August 14, 2010 Mounted Inside

Happy day - Z was not angry at me for the challenges I presented to her last day!

She was worried about my mounting from the off side (remembering my bad dismount of the other day). I had to play friendly game with her to reassure her. Will need to do more of this. 

Did light work mounted, being more particular about my position. Had reviewed my goals, and had looked at some of Level 3 Free Style dvd. From that I  worked on:

Trotting into the corners and stop (to prepare for cantering to corner and stoping). This helped our trot work a lot, slowing Z down from the beginning, and helping me to half halt her in preparation for the corners and especially the long sides when not stopping. Kept Z more attentive. 

Trot, walked and cantered with inside shoulder forward, and with a straight arm (one hand on rein). This worked wonderfully to better my position and Z's abilities. She was happy with this.

Trotted the cloverleaf pattern, and from there went into a right lead canter, which wored great. Z immediately picked up the canter (I was in the correct position). Still laboured, but not as much as last ride, so my position has a lot to do with it (KEEP OFF HER SHOULDERS)! Canter on left lead was VERY GOOD. Cantered long side and halted in corner. 

When I untacked Z in the arena after the ride, she was again jumpy. Her left eye seems to be showing more white. Am continuing to worry about the vision issue.

Aug. 12, 2010 On Line

On Line

I love how my confidence is growing, and with it Z's confidence, curiosity, and abilities. Spent longer than usual playing on line, today, because of this confidence on both are parts, including my increased confidence to push Z further, and to realize that by putting the relationship first, she will not break.

Ball Play
Showed her the ball at her stall door, she could have cared less, just kept eating her hay. I picked it up, she hardly blinked; put a treat on it which she ate. Later, she touched it and playing friendly game I was able to get her to move it with her leg. Yahoo! Big Achievement, especially because she had no negative reaction to either touching it or its movement.

Tarp
She showed a lot of interest in the tarp today, putting her head over it, with her nose close to it, and just "hanging". Easy to get her front feet on it. After a lot of "hanging around" she actually pawed at it with a front foot!!!!! The sound of it moving made her jump back, but she stayed calm, and kept coming back to it. Another Big Achievement!!!!

Circle with Obstacle
Walked and trotted calmly over pole on ground, both directions! 

Circle
When I later stood on the tarp and it made noise she went right brain on her circle. Instead of giving up, I worked on desensitizing her by continuing to make the noise and letting her move quickly away. I had to bring her down sharply went she started to get out of control, but after awhile she didn't care about the noise and walk/trotted easily. I didn't add a canter to this (or the obstacle) - gotta leave something for next time!

Obstacle
Put a pole six inches from the ground using jump standards. Played friendly game. At one point she went back, pulled the pole off and it got caught up between her legs. She looked at ME for a reaction, I just shrugged so she didn't get excited. Then she walked over the mess. Later, I put the pole back up and she walked over it without hesitation.

Squeeze Game with Rope
Spent quite a bit of time with this game, as she was very skeptical and un-confidant. She'd start walking when I had the rope around her neck, so I walked with her.  Often she'd turn towards me before I could get the rope around her rump. But eventually it worked, and I kept repeating because she would relax afterwards. Each time I did it she was less excited.

This was really pushing the limit; she was getting sweaty, but she kept showing that she trusted me.  After we finished I took off the line and she swung her head at me. I did stretches with her, which she really liked and it helped dry the sweat. A very nice way to end the session.

Aug. 10, 2010 On line and Mounted

On line and mounted, inside.

Was a wonderful play time today; meditative. I drove out without a plan and very RBI because of mom leaving after two week visit, and death of colleague's infant daughter. Felt drained, lacked motivation. Arrived with the air very heavy, Z in heat and zoned out but relaxed. Took advantage of having indoor to self and decided to play on-line, then saddle her in the arena, and play over obstacle and canter mounted.

Set up two ground poles as cross rail on bottom of standard cross board. This meant no height in middle, but two rails to go over, and height at ends. Set up two cones parallel to cross rail. When Z came in the arena she went right over to the ground rail, with curiosity not worry. I walked over it, she hesitated, but came when I pulled lightly on line. Repeated a number of times in both directions.

Played circle game, very calm INCLUDING at CANTER BOTH DIRECTIONS! I only cantered her 2 circles each way, to not ruin it. She picked up the canters immediately. Trotting and cantering to left I kept talking to her and moving so she'd keep me in sight. Going to right she's doing a lot more turning of her head toward the wall as if to see. Don't know if this is a sign of increased vision loss, or if she's just trying to figure things out. Will keep my eye on it.

Spooked when I dropped saddle fender over her left side (with me on right) so played friendly game with fenders and girth.

Mounted from off side using mounting block. No problem. Relaxed and set off.

Very relaxed at walk, including going over cross rail and small circles around cones. Worked on sidepass - keeping my focus up and in direction going, toes out. Very Good! Also, when Z hesitated at crosspole I remembered to put my focus back up and yes she did in fact then go over!

Free style trot was good, not much running, and staying off forehand. I worked on focus, keeping eyes and body in direction going and this helped a lot (also did this at walk, and it was very good). Trotted over cross poles, relaxed (I stayed back) but knocks them. I need to remember to immediately halt after trotting over, to have Z relax.

Trotted on the bit. I forget to maintain focus, keep dropping my head down. My position is a lot better. Worked at using suspension rein when Z raises head. Works well. Took a while to come onto bit, but when she did her back felt strong, and good impulsion. Only worked for awhile on bit.

Canter, very good transition and maintaining gait to left. Difficult transition to right (until I SAT BACK), but canter in this direction feels less smooth, as if hard work for Z. Only cantered a couple circles each direction.

Halted and did nothing often, as reward for Z. She likes this. She also likes not being drilled, but doing things a couple times, then changing to something else. This keeps it fun and interesting for both of us, and my body does not get as tense. It probably keeps her body relaxed as well.

Dismounted on off side, but had trouble getting my foot out of stirrup so came down with a bang, which scared Z! Have to practice going up and down while mounting from off side to get her calm again. But good for me for having the confidence to try this!

I untacked Z in arena and she had a good roll. A very happy calm ride, horse and rider. Beautiful day.

Aug 7, 2010 mounted

August 7, 2010 Mounted Outside Round Pen

First time riding in round pen; first time riding in over a week; back to using bit. Was windy out, cows across road came to watch, fence was "singing" in the wind. In other words, lots was going on. Brought two barrels in to play around. Z was RBE on line, so decided to ride as that can be calming to her as she is more focused. Still needed a lot of confidence building. Tried freestyle walk but she was too nervous so went on contact and then onto bit. Tried to evade bit - liked it better when didn't need to listen. Round pen was very helpful to help me maintain contact when trying to get Z to come onto the bit, as I fiddled around much less. Eventually it worked, and Z felt really really good at trot, both directions on the bit. Best in a loooonnnnggg time on bit!

Nervous coming out of round pen, so played friendly game and yoyo game. Need to do more on-line play in round pen before doing mounted work in it again.

July 31, 2010 On line

July 31, 2010 On line
It has been a week since I've been even seeing Z, because of family visits. Today is on-line day! I've been refreshing myself by watching the level 2 on-line dvd.



Played circling game, with two barrels on side set up, disengaged hindquarters after going by 2nd bucket (not always) at trot. Better disengagement, still difficult at trot, but getting better.Plan was to mix this up with figure 8s, but did not progress to that because of difficulties disengaging.


Circle game at canter, working on being particular with her transition into the canter. This is  the second time I've played with her with this purpose in mind. Played this in the round pen - first time (round pen recently arrived). Much better as she was much more attentive to me, same with as the trot. Immediate disengagement and coming to me. Over excited at canter, maybe because in round pen for the first time, but controllable.

July 24, 2010 Side Pull

Mounted: Side Pull Bridle

Today we played with the side pull bridle. I really like how it helps my confidence in transitioning into the trot, and trotting over ground poles. I don't worry about knocking Z in the mouth, and thus "go for it" over poles, as well as putting a lot more variety into our trot work (more transitions and turns, being more particular). I like how she doesn't surge foreward into the trot with it.

 BUT, she really really leans into it, on the right. She only doesn't do this if I let her take her head right to the ground. If I ask her to carry it up, she pushes onto the rein, with no weight at all on the left side. As we proceeded this became more of a problem - I guess she figured it out!  

I tried everything I know of to change how it was going, but nothing worked. She even became more difficult to halt. It isn't that she does not like it - I think she likes it a lot, because she really can do what she wants.
Mmmmm, guess our relationship still has some ways to go...

I have not been able to find information on the internet to help me. Seems that every brand of bitless bridle promises to resolve the problems of every other brand, but there is no discussion of horses that just won't pay attention to it at all.

Given that she does go nicely on the bit, and is not on the forehand I do not want to prolong use of this bridle as it seems we might actually regress, especially if she starts muscling up her neck incorrectly. I'm going to go back to the bit and work harder at sitting back for trot transitions, as well as incorporating more over-poles work, etc. to bring up my confidence.

July 20, Online

On Line, Outside: A left-brain/right brain Play Day!

Zaina jumped over her paddock pole (2 feet) when I came to get her today. I think she was worried about the flies, and because Anne was taking Leo in, who has the paddock next to her. She ran around a bit (zaina-like), then trotted up to the barn and visited with Rosie, and had some grass. Interesting how I completely lost my parelli knowledge when she started coming over the fence, and almost got hurt.

While I was setting up the play pen I let her off the line for grass. When I went to catch her, more left brain zainanigans. So we played at liberty a bit! Interesting, she canter/galloped in a big oval rather than charging around the entire arena, so maybe the off-line relationship is beginning to develop.


It was very buggy out, but Z paid attention. Played at the figure eight around the barrels, she can trot then walk the change at a short distance. I'm better with the carrot stick in directing her, and she understands better.

She touched obstacles from a medium distance, with lots of encouragement after a couple of times. Bored? 

She walked calmly over the cavaletti during the circle game - this is now old stuff for her.

Then circling to the right she trotted very calmly over a cavaletti - then right brain zaina returned. Insane zaina - I had to power position her to the fence 3 times, that put her into a trot. Then I moved her sideways to the left at a trot - it worked! Then lots of yoyo game to keep her attention. Whew! She was back. Now isn't THAT interesting!

After that I had her walk over the cavaletti, yield her hindquarters, and stop. Once she was doing this calmly, did it at the trot. More difficult, but achieved success.

A hotter workout than planned, but I was very pleased with my increasing ability to train her using Parelli methods, not just stumble through the games. It's coming together, naturally. Well, at least when there is no crisis happening!

July 17, 2010 Mounted, Inside Bitless Bridle Time!

Terry and Barb, co-chairs of the Stewiacke Branch of the Zaina fan club visited, and Terry brought bitless bridles to try. After reviewing her response to them in the stall we went with a stripped down Dr. Cook, as a sidepull.

Under saddle Z was happy. Backed straight for ten strides, first ever! Calmly into the trot. After a while she started pulling me along, so I need to work at using my body more to keep her off her forehand. Tells me I've still been depending on the bit for control and steering.

July 14, 2010 Mounted, Halter Ride

Today, in preparation for an upcoming bitless bridle try, I rode Z with only her halter. She was an angel. Even trotted at the post and sitting. Transition into the trot was great, no lurching forward. The bridle is too loose so I had almost so steering capability, but was excited at how positively she responded. Even did figure 8s around pylons. Good going Z!

July 8, 2010 Online

Shelley says that Z's new name is Zen-ia. Cause she's so zen.  Today she ate a treat off her ball, had a rest on the tarp, chewed on the ground pole, and went over and touched the pylon while on a 22 foot line (and was supposed to be circling, but oh well!).

July 5, 2010 online and mounted

On-Line
Saddled up in the arena with rope on the ground. Z was nervous about the white saddle pad, so we played a tepid catch me game, and then I spent a lot of time having her sniff and rub it. She went internal for awhile, which was very interesting. I didn't put the pad on her back until she relaxed. Saddle was not a problem.
Used the shims for the first time today. More on that on report below about the ride.

Played at walking in harmony, with carrot stick laid on withers, patting zone 3 if need to move forward. At first she was confused by this, but after a bit of practice understood what was wanted. Have to keep her attention when turning away from her. Good at slowing down, and after a couple of miscues, good at halting.

Touch it from a greater distance using carrot stick to direct nose to object. This worked well. Was able to stay 3-4 feet away from cone.

I had put a pole on the ground between two cones. The pole seemed to worry her, and she spent more time than usual sniffing it. To start with I moved her away from it, rather than asking her to go over it. This was interesting given her complacency with walking over the cavaletti two days ago. I wonder if she was testing me - to see if I'd revert to pushing her over? Later we worked on moving sideways over it, quite difficult. I should not have tried this, given her hesitance to walk over the pole, but should have just moved sideways along it. Next time!

Under Saddle
Shims made a noticeable difference. I was able to sit back without having to slump so much, it was easy to keep my lower back in an upright position, without flexing it inwards. I could feel her hips, and her stride was long. It was easy to carry the carrot stick and stay in position.

Nice walking on the rail and changes of directions. Worked on leg yielding using carrot stick. Difficult going to the left off right leg.

She's still dashing off at the trot. I changed to asking for a trot while her head was bent toward wall and disengaging her hind quarters. This helped a lot. Whenever she sped up I went back to that position and it slowed her down. I was able to do a lot of sitting trot after this.

Trotted once over the pole - and then she went into a walk (patted her and went to the rail). Afterwards she was really worried when we went by the pole that she'd have to do it again so I just circled or changed directions.

Cantering - her shoulders came up during the transition into the canter (although it was harder today than last ride to get her to canter), and she stayed round during the canter to the left, even going up the wall a bit without speeding up. Nice. To the right, more strung out and fast - my fault, I still go forward. When I could sit back it was better.

Lots of nice stuff today.

July 3, 2010 Online

Outside

What a day! Many things just fell into place, as if Z had been doing them for a lifetime. I spent more time in the stall with her, curried, hair do, etc., maybe that made a difference.

Circling: at walk, both directions, without management, except once to right she came in. Really nice changes of direction.

Lead by the leg: 3 steps with string around her left leg.

Cavalleti: Walked over while on a circle, both directions, without a second thought.

Touch it: From about 4 feet away. Have just watched level one touch it technique, will be better next time - push air around zone 1 to move nose toward object.

Yoyo game: Backed between barrels to posts (4 feet), fairly street, and once with me sitting on mounting step.

Cantering: still fast, but disengaged better.

Afterwards I sat on mounting block while she grazed in the arena. A very harmonious play session.

On line and Mounted: No Fighting

Outside, On Line

Walked and halted over cavaletti (lowest position) with confidence (me at her side). Backed up zone 4 and 3, with me directing from zone 1.

Inside, Under Saddle

 Plastic owl was tied to gate, but Z only gave it a look and touch and was not at all worried about it during the ride!

At walk, worked on mirroring  her body with mine, especially using my ribs when she bends her. This seemed to be very calming for Z. It helped me to direct her without pulling on her face.

I was better at flexing my back during posting trot. Worked on bending her ribs to bring her down from trot to walk when she stiffens, and speeds up rather than pulling her back. Difficult to do, had to do more disengagement.

Worked on finesse with flexion, releasing with triceps. She's still confused in that she thinks I want her to stop when I keep the contact.  I need to release faster and more often at the beginning when she gives (old habits die hard).  But she wasn't upset, and we played at finesse trot for about 10 minutes.

Sitting trot is much better.

Three canter transitions to the left using my body with energy rather than legs (need to change how use body though, canter rhythm not trot). Still rushing forward, brought down to trot and rested. Third time was very nice, and went into trot afterwards with flexion - beautiful. Ended on that note.

It is really nice not to be FIGHTING with Z, as we used to do, all the time.

June 28, 2010 mounted

Played under saddle inside.

Arrived amidst a heavy downpour, but it stopped when before started riding. Kelley was riding as well, and this was distracted to z.

Played at walk, with changes of directions.

Played at trot, getting Z to relax. Needed to do finesse rather than freestyle to keep her calm and attention on me. She was distracted by Kelly and by wooden pigeon hanging by the doorway. With finesse I was able to work on my sitting trot and have her relaxed. I kept my thighs away from her, and used my body to move her into trots - this worked very well.

Nice downward transitions. If I keep my upward body relaxed, and moving with her, then I can feel how to stop moving, and so does she.

Did a lot of serpentines at the trot. Well done!

June 26, 2010 Online

Outside

Had a very low key playtime today, to make sure Z could destress from last time's over excitement. Groomed her outside, then took her to graze in the ring. I practiced dismounting to right off a barrel.

Sniffed the barrel, played squeeze game - difficult, I needed to walk her through them. Worked on backing through them, also difficult.

Went sideways along fence while Z was grazing. It worked if I stood right at her shoulder and brought up my energy.

Did same when I stopped her over cavaletti and went sideways. two steps each way! Yahoo - a start.

A nice calm, hanging around day. I did have to work hard to regain her attention between grazing periods, but that is okay. I found myself paying lots of attention to when I became a linear thinker and predator-like. Tried to direct her more from the back end rather than pulling one her - horses don't pull on each other, they push.

Ordered a set of shims for the front of the saddle. Plus levels 1/2, 3 and liberty and finesse patterns. We are on our way!

June 23, 2010 Online

Outside

Today, three blue barrels were in the outside ring. Z was apprehensive, but touched them and walked around them. When I sat on one, on its side, she would not circle it - too strange!

Backed over cavelleti (lowest position), front and back legs!

Played with walking and trotting over cavelleti in second position. Hesitant with doing both. Trotted/jumped over when going to right, but only went over it happily to left when I stood at her head on her left side. The cavalleti was next to the fence, so maybe need to pull it away, as she has gone over it happily when under saddle.

Canter - went nutso when asked to canter going to left. In retrospect, bad eye was probably scared by the barrels. Was really digging her feet in, and calling to other horses. When I was able to slow her she did four off the floor and reared. Finally got her to trot and come in. Relaxed. Asked for her to canter again and she did fine!

June 19, 2010 Online and Mounted

It was a very hot day; Z was inside; not too drowsy.

Saddled with rope on ground, no problem (on-line, level 2)

ON-LINE

Circling, Disengagement: At walk and trot on circle, was more particular about her managing herself, by swinging carrot stick when she stopped, and not clucking (didn't have string on carrot stick). Put more emphasis on disengagement then circling, bent from waist when Z had gone past me and light tug on line. She understood this to mean turn and stop or come in. I gave her lots and lots of praise. Repeated only a few times.

Canter on circle. This was first canter on-line with saddle on. Reassured her before starting. First time - going right, fairly calm, and when I tried to keep her relaxed she came to a trot, so I disengaged her and brought her in. Lots of praise, then sent out again. Better, calmer, not as worried about stirrups bumping, etc., after two circles I tried to disengage her - she went to trot but kept going. Had to be firmer with lead line to disengage, but wasn't a big deal.

Halting over pole. She was hesitant to move over pole with me bringing her towards me, but with encouragement she did, slowly. She seemed to be aware that I was going to ask her to halt, so she was a bit confused, and moved her feet slowly, looking for guidance. Easily stopped with front feet over. Lots of praise. Then forward, and stopped after hind legs were over and couple steps past pole. Only did this once.

Sideways. Attempted to have her move sideways over pole, but not successful. Somewhat successful moving sideways along pole, going towards her right. Still some confusion.

UNDER SADDLE

Mounted from far side (freestyle level 2). I was more balanced. Z had no concerns when lining her up in different direction to mounting block, nor when I mounted. Stayed at halt until asked to move on.

Hesitant to bend neck to right, as I rode on the right rein detached!. Z halted with just the left rein. Thank you Zaina! Plus, I mounted without block (but off side)

Walk on rail: My passenger walk is now very good, with transference of a relaxed back to my working walk. Walking without stirrups or use of reins with confidence. Z needed more reminders to stay on rail today.

Halts: Halts from walk very good. I'm better able to feel a change in my body - I think I was so stiff before that she couldn't feel a difference. I'm also remembering to left the reins first, and she understands this to mean a change is coming.

Weave through cones. Set up 3 cones and wove through them both directions using outside rein and body weight. They were close, so I had to make quick changes. Sometimes I did a full circle. Z is beginning to understand the directions without having to have her head pulled around or overuse of inside leg. I'm using more of my outside leg to push her, and remembering to keep my weight in opposite direction of where I want her to go.

Posting trot: To left, I am doing much better with my back flexing. We were able to stay on the rail as I did this! Started to feel how I am tightening my thighs though, and I think this is what is making her transition to a walk. Have to keep my body looser.

To right, more difficult. Z speeds up, and it is difficult for me to stay back and get the correct rhythm. When I do get it, she slows down. Still, was able to stay on the rail as a passenger.

Sitting trot: Was able to sit on my thumb to get feel of keeping my butt in the seat. This means keeping my chest open and sitting up, not gripping with butt. Still working out the correct feel - can't explain it yet. Again, better to the left, but was able to work for some time going to right, with improvement, as I relaxed my thighs and Z became more rhythmical. It was lots of fun, except my back feels the strain! Hers probably does too!

Another wonderful time.

June 17, 2010 Mounted

It was very windy today, and Z and Sophie were screaming for each other. It took more than the usual ground work to get her to focus, but it worked. Did primarily turns on the forehand from zone 1, moving sideways on the wall, and halting over pole and backing. This worked to get her focused on me!

Re Moving sideways. I think Z thinks I want her to walk forward. I need to direct more energy to zone 5 first, and balance with zone 1 - maybe work more on zone 2 and 3?

Under saddle, did a lot of walk - halt transitions, trying to have more contact before I began to ask, bending her head in slightly and using my leg, as well as sitting back. She seemed much more aware of what I was wanting and her halts were much better. She even halted over the pole!

Backing over pole: Fair to good. Does not care if she steps on the pole or it rolls under her foot as she moves back, so she isn't very careful or particular. This actually makes it harder to complete the task because she keeps stepping on the pole! Maybe she's playing with it????

Trotting: Today I worked on pushing my seat back into the saddle at the posting trot (pushing passenger idea, but because of the wind and her forewardness today, I used the reins to direct her a lot). I really began to get the feeling, and when I did, it was "sweet". Made me smile, and her head came down immediately! She like it so much she'd stop trotting! I wasn't able to do it all the time, but it's a start, and man does it work!

A really good ride, despite the noise of the wind. Z is looking after me now, as I remember to look after her. It is very special.

June 12, 2010 On line

On line
Touch the ball (goal is to push ball with chest)

• I put ball on chair. She touched it without hesitation, and moved her hindquarters around to touch it from side as well. Came back to it a number of times.
• When she was off line at end of session I brought ball to her and she touched it, and let me touch it on her left side.
• Outside of arena, on way to stall I placed ball in her way. She touched it. I moved it under her head, and after some waiting and encouragement she moved her head down and touched it (first the nose, then the neck...).

Touch It (goal is to direct her to touch objects from a distance)

• Directed to touch cones from a couple feet away. Needed encouragement - was at start of session, so quite dozey and perhaps not motivated. Once she understood she was able to do it a few times quite well.
  
  

Moving circles at walk and trot

• fairly good both directions. Needed to keep her attention at walk, as she tended to halt when I wasn't managing her. At trot she started to pay attention to where she was going.
  
  

Weave through cones at walk

• good. When on her right side she had tendency to look toward left so it was hard to keep her attention to turn her back to me during the weave. This might be a visual issue - wanting to look to the right because she's not seeing well?
  
  

Canter both directions 22 foot line, calm and relaxed

• to left she was more settled than last time, and clearly looking where she was going. To right, easier to calm down, I get talking to her, and she moved her head noticeably as if to find me in her sightline. In this direction she was also more prone to taking her head down to see what was on the ground, again probably the visual issue. A very good job, considering how things have been
  
  

change directions at trot

• It is difficult to disengage her hindquarters and thus make the "draw". She gets confused, and comes down to a walk, and it is more difficult to get her to go out on the circle in the new direction, as she seems to just want to come to me. Practiced a lot of changes at the walk on circle and coming toward me with exaggerating the disengagement to help her learn. I needed to pull her head toward me quite a bit. Don't know if this is appropriate.

Z had just come in from a morning out in the sun and on grass. She was sleepy, so I had to pick up my energy to get her connected with me, which worked. But I needed to provide lots of relaxation time between patterns to maintain her confidence/interest. But it worked out very well, and was fun. I'm asking her to be more particular with some things now, and she is handling it well as long as she gets to wait, think, and be positively reinforced.

June 9 2010 mounted

Training Plan and log

Play under saddle (robert with me)
Goal: Mount from far side. Play approach and retreat mounting on far side, Robert with Z's head. SUCCESS. Hardly needed any approach and retreat. She was a rock.

Eventual Goal: Calm halt lifting reins (freestyle level 1) Repeat game of halting at cones from walk and trot. Semi-successful. I don't quit riding effectually, and raise my reins too soon, instead of after passing cone. I need to be clearer. Will use leg and slightly turn her head to hindquarters, so message is clearer. When successful will go back to just using weight/body.

Goal: walk and trot over pole calm, relaxed. Set out one pole on each side, one on rail, one inside of rail. EXCELLENT at both walk and trot.

Goal: walk over pole in passenger lesson. Excellent.

A super fun ride. R took photos and videos and they look good. Z relaxed, and me too! Still need to use my body more for posting trot, I look stiff.

Did first passenger ride (sort of - still held reins, but no contact) at TROT (Sitting).

I'm most proud of mounting from far side. Tried to dismount from near side, but worried that wouldn't get leg over saddle, and foot would get caught in stirrup. Need to practice flexibility first.

Thank you Z., for another great day!

June 9, 2010 zaina video

Walking on rail
Trotting on rail

In both these videos Zaina is on a light or no contact. We are playing the "don't make me pick up the reins" parelli game, for the pattern "stay on the rail/trail". The point of the pattern and game is to have her follow the rail on her own, if she comes of the rail then I use one finger on the rein to bring her back. She really enjoys the pattern - being left to manage herself.

We've only recently progressed where she can do this at the trot. Now I need to work on flexing my back at the posting trot, as that will help her relax and lower her head. On the third time round, coming down the long side, she didn't speed up which is why I praised her and took her to a walk, then halt.

It was a neat feeling the day she understood what I wanted and just went to the rail and walked! Now I have enough confidence to do he pattern without reins, as well as without stirrups. But today I kept my feet in the stirrups because it was the first time I did the swirling arm stuff! At the end I have asked her to halt, using my body, by cones. When she went too far, I used the reins and backed her up.

June 2, 2010 Mounted

Under saddle, inside

HUGE achievement. After the ride, played passenger game and Z went to door to look outside. I had set up a pole running from gate inwards at a slant, and for most of the ride didn't go over it, but around it. After Z finished looking outside I turned her to move down length of pole, but she turned toward it and STEPPED over it at about 2 feet! I tensed up afraid she'd throw her back legs over but she STEPPED CALMLY over it, despite my horrible tension (I tried to sit back and give her reins but was very afraid). I was sooo happy. I halted and gave her a treat, then we went to middle of arena and I got off. What a beautiful thing - a partnership day!

June 6, 2010

Outside on-line

Eventual Goal: Open Gate (freestyle level 2) Worked on moving closer to objects by playing porcupine and squeeze game around the mounting block forewards and backwards. Skeptical but willing.

Eventual Goal: (freestyle level 1) Mount from off side. Played the friendly game with her standing with off side toward mounting block. She's skeptical but played the games.

Eventual Goal: (on-line level 2) Lead by leg. Played friendly game using savy string on her near front leg, and used lead line to bring her forward onto leg. She understood idea after second try.

Eventual Goal: In saddle -Cantering under saddle calmly; on-line, maintain gait 2-4 laps (level 2). Played circling game both directions at canter. Canter to right was quite good, maintained gait, stayed calm. To left she becomes RBE.

REMEMBER TO MOVE WITH HER - MIGHT BE VISION ISSUE AS HAPPENS AT SAME PLACE ON CIRCLE.

Had to disrupt the pattern at level 4. After friendly game in middle of circle sent her out again; better. Brought her in for friendly game, third time was MUCH calmer, stopped after a couple of circles maintaining gait and pace.

Eventual Goal: Moving backwards and sideways over obstacles. Walked over cavaletti in second position, eventually was able to halt coming over each pole. GOOD JOB ZAINA!

Mounted

Didn't want to be caught today. Played driving and change of direction in paddoc until ready (about 15 minutes)

Freestyle:
very response to concentrated rein, very stretchy.
Nervous about staying on rail without rein support.

Difficult to disengage hindquarters.

On line.

Hung out in paddock.
Introduced ball in barn and padock
First she was frightened. Then she pretended to be frightened. Able to bounce and roll ball as we walked on line and chase it.
Groomed while on lead line in paddock, including feet.

Mounted!!!

Rode today! fifteen minutes, walk, leg yield, serpetine
Trotted to right, relaxed.
LONG stride at walk
Balanced at trot, no head up or anxiety. I was balanced, hips pushing forward instead of up!

Need to do groundwork in tack.

Imagine, last November I thought I would never ride Z again. And now look at us go!

On line

LBE today!
Walked over tarp more calmly.

On line

Happier today, hanging out worked- two feet on tarp- walked over, front quiet, back nervous.

On-line

Reluctant to have lead rope on (bobbling head), probably from overdoing Friday. So today we just did easy stuff in arena.

On line

Stick to me slow motion - excellent
Reviewed straddling pole - very good
Reviewed tarp - 2 front feet on tarp!
Opened umbrella in barn aisel
Doesn't like carrot stick, useing rope instead.

probably did too much. Z kicked out after being released.
Next visit, just hang out.

On Line

Straddled pole!
Stepped ont platform!
Trotted figure 8!

on line

Difficulties trotting to left on line
- touched tarp
- walked over cavaletti in 2nd position
- knows sideways
- better stopping

Need to provide support for figure 8s.

On line

LBE going into arena and in stall.Once started work - introvert (LB -catatonic) RB (running).

Rearing when asked to back up, and ears pinned.

Friendly game - Touching Z with string: after allowing her to back away 3 times she accepted rope and carrot stick!