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.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
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.
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.
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