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!