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!