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.