Very interesting day. When I was more insistent on Z going over a ground pole, she jumped it a mile high, and wanted to run. Instead of interrupting the pattern, which hasn't seemed to transfer into confidence, I mirrored plus 4% (which was hard, given her energy). She ran and ran, jumping high over the pole. But she didn't pull the rope taut, or rear, or try to get away. Nor were her ears back. She seemed really okay and good with all the excitement.
Eventually, she did what Linda says they do, calmed down.
I wonder if she was playing, once she started running? She certainly was MUCH more attentive and respectful afterward: touching things, playing stick to me, walking on the tarp, with more confidence than usual. Mmmmmmmmmmm. When I let her go to pick up toys she gave me multiple neck swings, but wasn't running around, just stood by the arena gate and did it. After a longish grooming session I put her outside, and even though she took the opportunity to run (cause the dog was harassing her outside the paddock), she didn't swing her neck at me.
Mmmmmmmm.
Well, will have to see what happens next!
Also learned today - stop yattering at her, and do not pat her after she takes a long time to achieve a task, as it scares her - just let her be.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
After days of very cold, windy weather today was sunny and warm. Played sneaky catch-it game with Z. She went with it, by trying to keep her eye on me, and turning around QUICK to catch me. But it was clear that since the horses were in all yesterday, Z did not want to come in to play – so I joined her!
Set up toys in her paddock, and that woke her up. Tarp hanging on the fence was a scary monster, but at the end of the session where I never looked at it or directed her to it, she went over and kissed it and explored the blowing flaps! I was pleased that throughout the session I was able to ignore directing her toward it, and moved her focus to me and a task when she would get distracted by it, or worried that I was going to force her to go to it. I really got a good sense of the, "It's not about the...." mindset.
Also – yo yoed backwards over a pole; stepped over pole with front feet and stopped, then back; touch it (cones on fence posts), squeeze game between pole and fence. All of these took a long time to calmly achieve - except yo yo backwards over pole - cause that was done last, after she had worked on stepping over pole and waiting.
She began the session worried about the toys, so I needed to up my energy and maintain her focus, not letting her get running and go past me. I have to work on my leadership in that area – being quicker to figure out what she’ll do in order to get her to do something constructive. But overall, polite persistence worked wonderfully!
Interesting, today I had been worried that my plan was wrong, and hesitant to implement, and didn't know what was worrying me. Then while I was hanging out with her to begin with, I got it - I had just watched the Predator/Pray Animal segment of the LHB set, and was very affected. First time I'd really understood about how we look and sound to horses. Then I was worried that my plan was too direct line, and I'd be a predator. But I got it - as long as the plan is reasonable (interesting, progressive, purposeful, fair) and the implementation was in sympathy with her prey inclinations, then it was okay.
Set up toys in her paddock, and that woke her up. Tarp hanging on the fence was a scary monster, but at the end of the session where I never looked at it or directed her to it, she went over and kissed it and explored the blowing flaps! I was pleased that throughout the session I was able to ignore directing her toward it, and moved her focus to me and a task when she would get distracted by it, or worried that I was going to force her to go to it. I really got a good sense of the, "It's not about the...." mindset.
Also – yo yoed backwards over a pole; stepped over pole with front feet and stopped, then back; touch it (cones on fence posts), squeeze game between pole and fence. All of these took a long time to calmly achieve - except yo yo backwards over pole - cause that was done last, after she had worked on stepping over pole and waiting.
She began the session worried about the toys, so I needed to up my energy and maintain her focus, not letting her get running and go past me. I have to work on my leadership in that area – being quicker to figure out what she’ll do in order to get her to do something constructive. But overall, polite persistence worked wonderfully!
Interesting, today I had been worried that my plan was wrong, and hesitant to implement, and didn't know what was worrying me. Then while I was hanging out with her to begin with, I got it - I had just watched the Predator/Pray Animal segment of the LHB set, and was very affected. First time I'd really understood about how we look and sound to horses. Then I was worried that my plan was too direct line, and I'd be a predator. But I got it - as long as the plan is reasonable (interesting, progressive, purposeful, fair) and the implementation was in sympathy with her prey inclinations, then it was okay.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Liberty & Horse Behavior DVDs
Just received my LHB packet! Wow, more and more and more to learn. Gotta get a grip or I'll be overwhelmed. Wait till Zaina sees!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Maintaining Confidence
Was hard to focus today, as the Horsenality Report has me rethinking my approaches. Plus a colicky horse meant redirecting myself to helping out with the barn chores, and found it hard to concentrate on Z's needs.
When I took her outside the consequence of my lack of focus and energy was immediate, instead of exploring Z became frightened and wanted to run away. Interesting, or what - just like in the old days when I didn't know how to provide her with leadership! So let her chill out with hay and water outside while I looked after her stall.
Once the medical issue was resolved, and her stall clean, I brought Z in and while so much of me wanted to leave, I also wanted to pull myself together so decided to really work on my focus but just on small, doable tasks. Grooming and stretching with heart in hand attempt helped a lot. Then touch it on way to arena (horsenality report suggestion), and friendly and touch it games for awhile.
Oh - yes, the hide the carrot game! She was sooo confident with this today. Actually purposefully slide cones over to get at partially visible small carrots. Then, when I covered a carrot she turned away, and was clearly stressed by this. Interesting again! I'm glad she is willing to show me her limits.
She gave me great walking circles to the left, but to the right became fearful. RBE strategies did not help. Wondering if it is a vision thing. It is how she used to react going to the left, and I needed to provide her with lots of verbal and visual support. Mmmm, wondering if something is going on with the right eye?
Calmer with helicopter friendly game, closer to her. My not thinking about achieving calmness is helping.
On leaving the arena we were surprised by humans and a horse coming around the corner without warning. Z took a fright, and of course there was some ice on the footing AND a newly placed large water bowl, so it looked like a disaster in the making. But I was spot on in reducing her fear, and she very very quickly calmed down. So much so that she invited herself over to one of the humans, let him pat her (big deal for her with strangers) and used him as a face rubbing pole!
In her stall she gave a giant yawn. Don't think I've ever seen that after a play session, certainly never after a "work" session until had loads of massage.
When I took her outside the consequence of my lack of focus and energy was immediate, instead of exploring Z became frightened and wanted to run away. Interesting, or what - just like in the old days when I didn't know how to provide her with leadership! So let her chill out with hay and water outside while I looked after her stall.
Once the medical issue was resolved, and her stall clean, I brought Z in and while so much of me wanted to leave, I also wanted to pull myself together so decided to really work on my focus but just on small, doable tasks. Grooming and stretching with heart in hand attempt helped a lot. Then touch it on way to arena (horsenality report suggestion), and friendly and touch it games for awhile.
Oh - yes, the hide the carrot game! She was sooo confident with this today. Actually purposefully slide cones over to get at partially visible small carrots. Then, when I covered a carrot she turned away, and was clearly stressed by this. Interesting again! I'm glad she is willing to show me her limits.
She gave me great walking circles to the left, but to the right became fearful. RBE strategies did not help. Wondering if it is a vision thing. It is how she used to react going to the left, and I needed to provide her with lots of verbal and visual support. Mmmm, wondering if something is going on with the right eye?
Calmer with helicopter friendly game, closer to her. My not thinking about achieving calmness is helping.
On leaving the arena we were surprised by humans and a horse coming around the corner without warning. Z took a fright, and of course there was some ice on the footing AND a newly placed large water bowl, so it looked like a disaster in the making. But I was spot on in reducing her fear, and she very very quickly calmed down. So much so that she invited herself over to one of the humans, let him pat her (big deal for her with strangers) and used him as a face rubbing pole!
In her stall she gave a giant yawn. Don't think I've ever seen that after a play session, certainly never after a "work" session until had loads of massage.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Horsenality Report
Wow. Extreme RBE, rather than moderate RBI - and I had been rather moderate in completing the assessment checklist. Now I can better understand how I was pushing her into RBI mode by not matching Z's energy, she was getting more unconfidant and more lost.
Lots here to digest, review, and implement.
Lots here to digest, review, and implement.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE!
Zaina’s got her mojo back! Yahoo. I was much less direct line after listening to teleseminar answer for an RBE who just can’t get used to rattly stuff. PP "Don’t worry about it." Oh, in other words, stop focusing on "fixing" confidence and get on with developing skills that will lead to confidence. It was also helpful to learn that Magic still spooks and worries. So I don't have to think that I have to get all the potential spooks out of her. Instead, need to have her look to me for leadership when she is worried.
That, reminder along with giving her the direction she needs, has brought my happy horse back to me.
Moved a cone (gently, slowly, bit by bit) to get at a carrot, over and over and over. She loves her carrots! Today, as opposed to yesterday, I ran out of them. She kept heading back to the mounting block to look for more!
Went over 6" jump (only 24" to go for that online task)! First, over excited, and instead of me trying to shut her down afterward, or sending her again and again, I gently slowed her and let her decide if she wanted to go again or wait. Sometimes she chose to change directions. After a bit of excitement she was trotting low.
Walked the figure 8, knows how to do it.
Trotted figure 8 calmly and with no extra management. At first she would go half way through then get excited and change back, so I let her do this a few times, helping her do it. Then asked her to continue the figure 8, and she was able to do it without a problem. No running through me, hardly needed to use the carrot stick to stop her.
Sideways without a fence, very little management needed (bit of reminder to not go forward).
Lots of change of directions at trot and flying leaf when she got over excited from her own accomplishments. I’m sooo much better at handling the stick and rope, and have begun to be better at directing her energy by making the direction changes my idea.
Ended with a traveling walking circle, going calmly over the obstacle.
Nice nice nice.
In her paddock she gave me a running head toss, then a BIG roll. It's good to see her positive energy. Sigh.
NOW need to be careful not to wreck this by demanding more more more. Instead, need to focus on different tasks next time.
That, reminder along with giving her the direction she needs, has brought my happy horse back to me.
Moved a cone (gently, slowly, bit by bit) to get at a carrot, over and over and over. She loves her carrots! Today, as opposed to yesterday, I ran out of them. She kept heading back to the mounting block to look for more!
Went over 6" jump (only 24" to go for that online task)! First, over excited, and instead of me trying to shut her down afterward, or sending her again and again, I gently slowed her and let her decide if she wanted to go again or wait. Sometimes she chose to change directions. After a bit of excitement she was trotting low.
Walked the figure 8, knows how to do it.
Trotted figure 8 calmly and with no extra management. At first she would go half way through then get excited and change back, so I let her do this a few times, helping her do it. Then asked her to continue the figure 8, and she was able to do it without a problem. No running through me, hardly needed to use the carrot stick to stop her.
Sideways without a fence, very little management needed (bit of reminder to not go forward).
Lots of change of directions at trot and flying leaf when she got over excited from her own accomplishments. I’m sooo much better at handling the stick and rope, and have begun to be better at directing her energy by making the direction changes my idea.
Ended with a traveling walking circle, going calmly over the obstacle.
Nice nice nice.
In her paddock she gave me a running head toss, then a BIG roll. It's good to see her positive energy. Sigh.
NOW need to be careful not to wreck this by demanding more more more. Instead, need to focus on different tasks next time.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Attitude of Justice
Parelli Principle #5, "An attitude of justice is effective."
I had taken this to mean, 1) don't be mean; 2) don't be impatient. Of course it does, but now I understand it to mean much more. "Consequences" in parelliville is not in reference to punishment, but to what happens after what happens happens. It is another way of thinking about phases. Start with phase 1, the gentlest means to convey your meaning, but progress to the next phases to be effective. "An attitude of justice is effective".
I have not been very effective, lately. Not a moral failing, just a misunderstanding of how a horse asks a question. Or, how Zaina asks questions.
Horses teach humans.
I had taken this to mean, 1) don't be mean; 2) don't be impatient. Of course it does, but now I understand it to mean much more. "Consequences" in parelliville is not in reference to punishment, but to what happens after what happens happens. It is another way of thinking about phases. Start with phase 1, the gentlest means to convey your meaning, but progress to the next phases to be effective. "An attitude of justice is effective".
I have not been very effective, lately. Not a moral failing, just a misunderstanding of how a horse asks a question. Or, how Zaina asks questions.
Horses teach humans.
Confidence Breakthrough
Oh man, I think I've got it (again)! I believe that instead of Z indicate fear when she stops/hesitates and has ears back when confronted with an obstacle or open gate, she is asking me, "What should I do?". Instead of giving her leadership, I have been increasing her stress by sending her back or waiting waiting waiting.
Today, when she hesitated in front of the ground pole (4 inches up on the deck planters), I smiled, and gave her the "send" instruction. Her ears came up and she went over the pole confidently!!!! I used the same tactic throughout our session, and achieved much. We will definitely be progressing through level 2 online now!
Sideways without a fence: 12 feet, between cones, going to the left (her good eye to me). Just needed reminder with shake of rope to not step forward, and got it.
Couldn't do it to right (bad eye to me), as kept trying to circle and was confused by being stopped. That's okay, might not be able to do it this way.
Figure 8. Had planned to work on this at walk, but she was pretty extroverted and did it all in the trot. She seemed to really notice the carrot stick today when I used it to stop her from zipping by me when she needed to change direction. This either pissed her off, or scared her, couldn't really tell. She did speed up and zoom through the change. I just kept repeating the pattern. Then remembered to give verbal direction, so used "slow" and "over" to help direct her, which I think helped, or at least the sound of my voice gave her some confidence. Played with this in both directions. Stopped when she trotted the change calmly. Yahoo!!!
Find the Carrot: placed long pieces of carrots partially under small cones on mounting block and directed her to them. She was confused - wanted to eat them, but either worried about the cones or about taking something she shouldn't. I kept encouraging her, stopped her from going away bodily or otherwise. Slowly slowly she inched her lips to the carrot, and pulled the first one out. We came back to this later, and it again took awhile for her to be confident to touch cone or take the carrot. Very interesting. Will need to repeat.
Trailer Loading Simulation: Directed Z to go into another horse's stall. It was dark because the stall window was closed. Hesitated a bit, but then went in, checked out the hay and feed bowl, ate what was in the bowl. She was much more worried about coming out of the stall. Not sure why, but she seemed bothered by the environment - probably has never "seen" all the stuff around from that viewpoint.
What a day for me - learning wise, but then, aren't they all?
Today, when she hesitated in front of the ground pole (4 inches up on the deck planters), I smiled, and gave her the "send" instruction. Her ears came up and she went over the pole confidently!!!! I used the same tactic throughout our session, and achieved much. We will definitely be progressing through level 2 online now!
Sideways without a fence: 12 feet, between cones, going to the left (her good eye to me). Just needed reminder with shake of rope to not step forward, and got it.
Couldn't do it to right (bad eye to me), as kept trying to circle and was confused by being stopped. That's okay, might not be able to do it this way.
Figure 8. Had planned to work on this at walk, but she was pretty extroverted and did it all in the trot. She seemed to really notice the carrot stick today when I used it to stop her from zipping by me when she needed to change direction. This either pissed her off, or scared her, couldn't really tell. She did speed up and zoom through the change. I just kept repeating the pattern. Then remembered to give verbal direction, so used "slow" and "over" to help direct her, which I think helped, or at least the sound of my voice gave her some confidence. Played with this in both directions. Stopped when she trotted the change calmly. Yahoo!!!
Find the Carrot: placed long pieces of carrots partially under small cones on mounting block and directed her to them. She was confused - wanted to eat them, but either worried about the cones or about taking something she shouldn't. I kept encouraging her, stopped her from going away bodily or otherwise. Slowly slowly she inched her lips to the carrot, and pulled the first one out. We came back to this later, and it again took awhile for her to be confident to touch cone or take the carrot. Very interesting. Will need to repeat.
Trailer Loading Simulation: Directed Z to go into another horse's stall. It was dark because the stall window was closed. Hesitated a bit, but then went in, checked out the hay and feed bowl, ate what was in the bowl. She was much more worried about coming out of the stall. Not sure why, but she seemed bothered by the environment - probably has never "seen" all the stuff around from that viewpoint.
What a day for me - learning wise, but then, aren't they all?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Puzzling Day
Interesting but very puzzling day.
Today, utilized RBI techniques:
- use only up to phase 2, then next move is hers
- Z's response determines my response and what to do next
- wait, wait, wait, until get the response (do not keep asking or hammering away)
- slow, minimal body energy.
Well, today the less I did and the longer I waited the more she went seriously internal. On the draw, when she'd lick and chew, and look at me (asking a question), I'd slowly turn back to her - just my head - smile, and ask again for the draw, phase 1. She'd go immediately internal, including turning away. The more this was repeated, the worse she got, including stepping away from me.
Soooo, deciding that this really was not working, I choose to step up my energy and provide her with more leadership, even using the carrot stick and string to move her along. Her ears came up, eyes bright and zip zip zip she was circling, going sideways, changing direction!!!!
Then went to friendly game with blue bag, pole, and saddle pad. Blue bag elicited curiosity and not much RBE. Used treats for rewarding and shaping. She willingly followed me with the bag, etc.
Foam pole was another issue. Treats did not work. RBE. So I continued and went extreme extreme friendly game. Kept her head in my direction and pushed her hindquarters away repeatedly, really making her move them quick, moving her body as well as in : Let me help you.... This went on and on and on. Her eyes got big, she got tense, but I kept at it, continuing with walking with the poles on her, head tipped towards me pushing her ribs in. Did this for at least 30 minutes and then POOF, she relaxed. Walked calmly, ears forward, neck down, with pole on her back both sides.
Changed to saddle pad, and she had NO PROBLEM at all with me lifting it up and swinging it on her back, and having it stay there, repeatedly.
Back in the stall, Z relaxed, eating hay. Turned her out, VG turning towards me when unhaltered, and returned to her hay walking. BUT FIRST, she had a roll, both sides. Suggests there was a lot of tension released. Wonder what kind, RB or LB?
How interesting.
I've just filled out the Horsenality Report. Hopefully I'll get some insights into this very very puzzling horse! Feel worried that I've done the wrong thing, as I really really pushed her into RBE. Guess next visit will tell...
Today, utilized RBI techniques:
- use only up to phase 2, then next move is hers
- Z's response determines my response and what to do next
- wait, wait, wait, until get the response (do not keep asking or hammering away)
- slow, minimal body energy.
Well, today the less I did and the longer I waited the more she went seriously internal. On the draw, when she'd lick and chew, and look at me (asking a question), I'd slowly turn back to her - just my head - smile, and ask again for the draw, phase 1. She'd go immediately internal, including turning away. The more this was repeated, the worse she got, including stepping away from me.
Soooo, deciding that this really was not working, I choose to step up my energy and provide her with more leadership, even using the carrot stick and string to move her along. Her ears came up, eyes bright and zip zip zip she was circling, going sideways, changing direction!!!!
Then went to friendly game with blue bag, pole, and saddle pad. Blue bag elicited curiosity and not much RBE. Used treats for rewarding and shaping. She willingly followed me with the bag, etc.
Foam pole was another issue. Treats did not work. RBE. So I continued and went extreme extreme friendly game. Kept her head in my direction and pushed her hindquarters away repeatedly, really making her move them quick, moving her body as well as in : Let me help you.... This went on and on and on. Her eyes got big, she got tense, but I kept at it, continuing with walking with the poles on her, head tipped towards me pushing her ribs in. Did this for at least 30 minutes and then POOF, she relaxed. Walked calmly, ears forward, neck down, with pole on her back both sides.
Changed to saddle pad, and she had NO PROBLEM at all with me lifting it up and swinging it on her back, and having it stay there, repeatedly.
Back in the stall, Z relaxed, eating hay. Turned her out, VG turning towards me when unhaltered, and returned to her hay walking. BUT FIRST, she had a roll, both sides. Suggests there was a lot of tension released. Wonder what kind, RB or LB?
How interesting.
I've just filled out the Horsenality Report. Hopefully I'll get some insights into this very very puzzling horse! Feel worried that I've done the wrong thing, as I really really pushed her into RBE. Guess next visit will tell...
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Shaping vs Classical Conditioning
Spent time today helping Z’s confidence on the draw. Found sitting down to take more pressure off her helped, especially walking between obstacles. Kept the rope slack. Lots of walking away when she started to come toward me. Quit when felt an emotional shift.
While putting on her blanket realized that while she always stands nicely, even in her paddock, she keeps her ears back. Tried teaching her to relax her neck and head (needle simulation) but this didn’t help.
Then, used shaping technique for following the halter, but did it with her saddle pad. Reward when stood by saddle pad with ears up, touched the saddle pad, came toward the saddle pad, didn’t move backwards when lifted saddle pad. After awhile (and a ton of treats), I thought she was having trouble chewing because she was making wide mouth faces with her tongue sticking out. Then I realized, she was licking and chewing and yawning!!! Wow.
When I went back to the blanket I was able to quickly get her to accept it, by rewarding her willingness to touch it, and have me touch her with it. Looking forward to seeing if I can develop her acceptance of other friendly game issues using shaping instead of classical conditioning (release as the reward), because that does not seem to be working.
While putting on her blanket realized that while she always stands nicely, even in her paddock, she keeps her ears back. Tried teaching her to relax her neck and head (needle simulation) but this didn’t help.
Then, used shaping technique for following the halter, but did it with her saddle pad. Reward when stood by saddle pad with ears up, touched the saddle pad, came toward the saddle pad, didn’t move backwards when lifted saddle pad. After awhile (and a ton of treats), I thought she was having trouble chewing because she was making wide mouth faces with her tongue sticking out. Then I realized, she was licking and chewing and yawning!!! Wow.
When I went back to the blanket I was able to quickly get her to accept it, by rewarding her willingness to touch it, and have me touch her with it. Looking forward to seeing if I can develop her acceptance of other friendly game issues using shaping instead of classical conditioning (release as the reward), because that does not seem to be working.
horsemanship
PP's masery audio lesson "Horsemanship".
The journey: Horse and human learning to become partners.
Not: "being partners"
Not: "becoming partners"
But: "learning to become partners"
Mmmmmm. This was a visceral experience. I think I had an RBI horse experience. I could feel this in my mouth as I thought about its meaning. Had to block out everything else, and just roll it around. As I began to digest its profundity my breathing changed. Took awhile before I could hear what else Pat was saying.
The journey: Horse and human learning to become partners.
Not: "being partners"
Not: "becoming partners"
But: "learning to become partners"
Mmmmmm. This was a visceral experience. I think I had an RBI horse experience. I could feel this in my mouth as I thought about its meaning. Had to block out everything else, and just roll it around. As I began to digest its profundity my breathing changed. Took awhile before I could hear what else Pat was saying.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Play Day
Maritime Parelli Play Day get together. Indoors, watching L&HB segments.
Learned need to be softer when using my body to send, or friendly game.
Need to turn and walk away to draw toward me when Z unconfidant.
Don't hold coils of rope, just one strand, as otherwise cannot respond quickly when need to as can't feel rope or take hold appropriate.
Learned need to be softer when using my body to send, or friendly game.
Need to turn and walk away to draw toward me when Z unconfidant.
Don't hold coils of rope, just one strand, as otherwise cannot respond quickly when need to as can't feel rope or take hold appropriate.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Partial Disengagement
Watched February 2010 Mastery Lesson with Linda, Relaxation with Partial Disengagement. Goal was to use the concepts and techniques on-line to maintain relaxation - Linda's words of wisdom, "have to teach in calmness", rather than having Z stay tense trying to eventually get calm.
Catching game - I think Z is having fun with the disengaging follow me pattern in the paddock!
She was far less RBI today. Did not get stuck at the door. Lots of licking and chewing throughout.
When we went into the arena, seeing that she was calm, and interested in the mirrors, I started playing the circling game rather than our usual walking around checking things out. She was very okay with this plan.
Then touch it from longer distance - not good because I later realized I was not in the proper position. Then to the ropes, and played with her from the opposite side. While walking around did the helicopter, and she's now much better, able to walk beside me instead of moving back, although this took awhile. She took herself sideways against the wall, and I was able to stay at the end of the 12foot line and move with her, very nice.
Then back to toys and playing extreme friendly game. Used a cone, because when I picked it up she was worried. This is her big thing now, afraid of me coming toward her with stuff.
Practiced partial disengagement, having her walk down the wall, with me turning her head but keeping her feet moving when she stressed out at the cone (which was immediately and continuously). Eventually remembered that her ribs needed to be pushed in, so worked on that as well. All very difficult to do on the ground, but it certainly did start to work! Eventually she was calmer, so then went to smell the tarp.
Then played friendly game with the saddle pad. She started stressed again just from me coming towards her, but kept repeating the actions of lifting it toward her, then with partial disengagement. Slowly she got much much better and gave me permission to put it on her back. Walking with it on stressed her, so more disengagement, and pretty quick success. This stuff works! She kept getting stressed again though when I would again move toward her with the pad. Stopped instead of trying to solve the problem today and raising her anxiety level.
Returned to circling game, using tarp as obstacle and later as squeeze game. Great at walk, at trot started to get tense, so I did lots and lots of trot walk transitions to "teach in relaxation". Soooo neat, she calmed, and we stopped for the day. I'm showing more self discipline. Have to accept that I can't "fix" this stuff in a session even though Pat and Linda can.
Catching game - I think Z is having fun with the disengaging follow me pattern in the paddock!
She was far less RBI today. Did not get stuck at the door. Lots of licking and chewing throughout.
When we went into the arena, seeing that she was calm, and interested in the mirrors, I started playing the circling game rather than our usual walking around checking things out. She was very okay with this plan.
Then touch it from longer distance - not good because I later realized I was not in the proper position. Then to the ropes, and played with her from the opposite side. While walking around did the helicopter, and she's now much better, able to walk beside me instead of moving back, although this took awhile. She took herself sideways against the wall, and I was able to stay at the end of the 12foot line and move with her, very nice.
Then back to toys and playing extreme friendly game. Used a cone, because when I picked it up she was worried. This is her big thing now, afraid of me coming toward her with stuff.
Practiced partial disengagement, having her walk down the wall, with me turning her head but keeping her feet moving when she stressed out at the cone (which was immediately and continuously). Eventually remembered that her ribs needed to be pushed in, so worked on that as well. All very difficult to do on the ground, but it certainly did start to work! Eventually she was calmer, so then went to smell the tarp.
Then played friendly game with the saddle pad. She started stressed again just from me coming towards her, but kept repeating the actions of lifting it toward her, then with partial disengagement. Slowly she got much much better and gave me permission to put it on her back. Walking with it on stressed her, so more disengagement, and pretty quick success. This stuff works! She kept getting stressed again though when I would again move toward her with the pad. Stopped instead of trying to solve the problem today and raising her anxiety level.
Returned to circling game, using tarp as obstacle and later as squeeze game. Great at walk, at trot started to get tense, so I did lots and lots of trot walk transitions to "teach in relaxation". Soooo neat, she calmed, and we stopped for the day. I'm showing more self discipline. Have to accept that I can't "fix" this stuff in a session even though Pat and Linda can.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Theodore Roosevelt on Parelli
“Renown is behaving better about automobiles and the like. I think the difference is largely in the way I handle him. He is a very good-natured and gentle horse, but timid and not over-wise, and when in a panic his great strength makes him well-nigh uncontrollable. Accordingly, he is a bad horse to try to force by anything. If possible, it is much better to give him a little time, and bring him up as gently as may be to the object of terror. When he behaves well I lean forward and give him a lump of sugar, and now the old boy eagerly puts around his head when I stretch out my hand. “
Theodore Roosevelt, letter to Ted (Theodore Jr) Oct. 24, 1903.
Theodore Roosevelt, letter to Ted (Theodore Jr) Oct. 24, 1903.
Sunshine and Grass
Beautiful warm, sunny winter day. Played same style catching game as last time. Then just guarded my horse while she ate grass up and down the driveway.
I really felt today the importance of connecting during these times. Before, they were times to let her have grass and relax. Now I'm understanding that there is more to it. Our connection is deepening.
I really felt today the importance of connecting during these times. Before, they were times to let her have grass and relax. Now I'm understanding that there is more to it. Our connection is deepening.
Silver Savvy Club
Today I upgraded my savvy club membership to silver. Have been pondering doing this since October but had worried that a) the info was either beyond what I could assimilate, and b) that the comments on savvy forum were correct in that it was not worth the money.
I was right to wait, and got the old level 2 pack. Then Florida. The naysayers are wrong, for me anyway. Learned a big lesson here. The opportunities for learning are incredible with the silver level materials. Immediately received via fedex a mastery lesson and audio lesson. Contents phenomenal, and I've only just begun.
Glad I waited, and glad I did it!
I was right to wait, and got the old level 2 pack. Then Florida. The naysayers are wrong, for me anyway. Learned a big lesson here. The opportunities for learning are incredible with the silver level materials. Immediately received via fedex a mastery lesson and audio lesson. Contents phenomenal, and I've only just begun.
Glad I waited, and glad I did it!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Linda's Wisdom
Linda’s Words of Wisdom During Game of Contact, November 2010
When horse is having difficulties, you can’t work on riding position. Just do what can do until fix horse’s emotional problems, then can fix own riding.
Posting Trot
• Sit trot peddling until power naturally lifts you up.
LB Introvert
• More you bring up your energy, less horse will do.
LB & RB Introvert
• Don’t wiggle rope hard, use body life instead.
• If goal is to get better leave, bring back very soon as a reward (accept a little, reward often).
RB Introvert
• Need time to process. If need to get firm, wait rather than hammering away.
Yo-Yo
• When doesn’t go back, draw back – do the unexpected, accept a little reward often.
The Draw
• If horse stalls don’t pull. Back horse up and keep slack in rope.
Stick to Me
• Don’t micromanage with stick to keep forward movement, otherwise always need to use it.
• When using stick to move back, use it with purpose, otherwise it’s a friendly game.
• Backing and horse doesn’t follow, keep backing softly, then smack ground in front of Zone 1.
To Catch
• Stay in zone 5, if he looks right, go to left. Put more pressure on by getting sneakier.
• When doesn’t move, get closer, when moves, get further away.
• Big reward when feet move (left brain horse, if disengage zone 4 too often will start biting you; go to zone 5 instead).
• Drive creates draw, more draw is obedience not desire.
• If runs to you with ears back, horse is driving you. Drive horse back if happens.
• When have time limit just take one of these things, ie., nose, neck or feet, then leave.
For Safety
• Short casual rein instead of long if horse is worried.
• Introvert fear: look at object and back away
• Extrovert fear: look and move sideways around it.
Mouth Chattering
• Extrovert – going too slowly
• Introvert – going to quickly
Contact
• Need to be very particular when pick up reins, no “noise”.
• Pick up reins with “trombone”, smoothly; put moving hand beneath other when switching to two hands, and then close fingers like 9 rein back up.
• Loose hands, floppy wrists hurt horse’s mouth.
• Work on straight lines when teaching contact, as circling much harder to keep even contact.
• When neck is inverted and pulls reins up, go up too, instead of pulling back.
When bend, don’t throw away outside contact (don’t disengage). Turn shoulders to turn. Hands stay in same place (practice freestyle first, with shorter reins).
• Do not ask horse to hold contact for long when not fit.
• To transition down (or want more collection) belly button and pelvis tips up.
• Forward, or extensions, belly button forward.
When horse is having difficulties, you can’t work on riding position. Just do what can do until fix horse’s emotional problems, then can fix own riding.
Posting Trot
• Sit trot peddling until power naturally lifts you up.
LB Introvert
• More you bring up your energy, less horse will do.
LB & RB Introvert
• Don’t wiggle rope hard, use body life instead.
• If goal is to get better leave, bring back very soon as a reward (accept a little, reward often).
RB Introvert
• Need time to process. If need to get firm, wait rather than hammering away.
Yo-Yo
• When doesn’t go back, draw back – do the unexpected, accept a little reward often.
The Draw
• If horse stalls don’t pull. Back horse up and keep slack in rope.
Stick to Me
• Don’t micromanage with stick to keep forward movement, otherwise always need to use it.
• When using stick to move back, use it with purpose, otherwise it’s a friendly game.
• Backing and horse doesn’t follow, keep backing softly, then smack ground in front of Zone 1.
To Catch
• Stay in zone 5, if he looks right, go to left. Put more pressure on by getting sneakier.
• When doesn’t move, get closer, when moves, get further away.
• Big reward when feet move (left brain horse, if disengage zone 4 too often will start biting you; go to zone 5 instead).
• Drive creates draw, more draw is obedience not desire.
• If runs to you with ears back, horse is driving you. Drive horse back if happens.
• When have time limit just take one of these things, ie., nose, neck or feet, then leave.
For Safety
• Short casual rein instead of long if horse is worried.
• Introvert fear: look at object and back away
• Extrovert fear: look and move sideways around it.
Mouth Chattering
• Extrovert – going too slowly
• Introvert – going to quickly
Contact
• Need to be very particular when pick up reins, no “noise”.
• Pick up reins with “trombone”, smoothly; put moving hand beneath other when switching to two hands, and then close fingers like 9 rein back up.
• Loose hands, floppy wrists hurt horse’s mouth.
• Work on straight lines when teaching contact, as circling much harder to keep even contact.
• When neck is inverted and pulls reins up, go up too, instead of pulling back.
When bend, don’t throw away outside contact (don’t disengage). Turn shoulders to turn. Hands stay in same place (practice freestyle first, with shorter reins).
• Do not ask horse to hold contact for long when not fit.
• To transition down (or want more collection) belly button and pelvis tips up.
• Forward, or extensions, belly button forward.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
LBI/RBI/RBE
What a complicated horse day! Arrived (after 4 days away) to a LBI who thought I was not interesting enough to catch. After my wondering around for 10 minutes I realized I needed to get her interested enough in me - so I did her stretches (rather than provoking her to move) and gave her a treat, and she started to then move toward me when I moved away. Had to stay close to her, but then she came with me, and instead of me going to the gate I did a bit of a pattern in her paddock. She stayed with me, then we went to the gate and I bridled her. Yahoo! A liberty session!
In her stall she was interested and confident. When I kneeled on the ground she brought her head all the way down AND KEPT IT THERE while I bridled her - no need for reminders, first time!!!!
Then into the arena. I planned to work on touch it, focusing on feet. But as soon as she got in she looked at the mirrors, ropes and pylons in front of it and FROZE, RBI. Trying to lead her in different directions didn't work, she just wanted to freeze at the gate. After a while, I took of her line, thinking maybe she'd like to move around on her own - usually she walks right toward the mirror, ears forward. Nope.
So I walked around the arena, not in straight lines, went over to the ropes, then back. Used my carrot stick in various ways. Didn't help.
Then I sat across from her (40 feet) on the mounting step, did exercises, and generally tried to relieve all pressure. Helped a bit, in that she pawed the ground, and looked at me. But still would not move.
So then I decided she needed more leadership. Put her back on the line, and variously did forequarter and hindquarter yields, but it was very very difficult to get her to move away from a 12 by 12 area in front of the gate.
Finally, what seemed to work was the yo yo game (I only had her now on a 12 foot line). Remembering Pat's words from level 1 - without a good yo yo game you have nothing. She would go in and out of RBI mode but at least she was moving toward me, and away from me with some confidence. After a few times, I was able to play stick to me and direct her toward the letters on the wall and have her touch near them. Usually she will touch them with enthusiasm, but I accepted a try that hit the wall. Clearly she was still distracted and unconfident. We did this down the wall, toward the ropes. At the ropes she stalled.
Then, knowing that she really was confident with the mirrors before the rope barrier, I went between the ropes and it. Her ears perked forward and she came toward me. She almost touched the rope (probably afraid it would shock her). I yo yoed her, and then walked backward down the rope line and she happily followed me. Did this a number of times, and it clearly relaxed her. How interesting.
Now that she was more confident and attentive moved on to friendly game with new kidz carrot stick. She was happier with it as helicopter and extreme friendly than the larger stick. Still moving away, but not as quickly or far. I left my hand open so the rope could slide through and she wouldn't feel as much pressure. Given that she was still unconfident with these tasks I decided to do more extreme friendly game rather than touch it.
Picked up the tarp and crunched it. She was RBE. So lots of this, and moving it around, and having her follow it, putting it on me and walking toward and away from her etc etc etc. She was in RBE quadrant all the time, to various degrees. I couldn't touch her with it, but she got more confident over time. I let her circle around me when she got more stressed, and then she got quieter, but not RBI.
Moved on to the foam poles. Even though we ended on a good note with these previously, she was now RBE with them coming toward her. So, just started all over. Took her a long time to be confident with them near her, then with me holding them up lengthwise, then touching her with them. Having them on her back was okay after awhile, but when she moved she went RBE extreme. Maybe I'm seeing old old baggage. This tells me that no way should anyone be on her back, if something like this makes her panic. I'm glad I'm now taking the time - of course also wishing that I had known years ago what I know now. Eventually, she was calmer with them.
Cause I had the time, and she wasn't RBI or extreme RBE I did one more game. This time with her fleece quilted saddle pad. When I've saddled her outside her stall but with a line, she is RBE with the pad coming toward her. Same today. Did lots of approach and retreat with it coming to her and away, then touching her. She wasn't as extreme as with the poles. Then, when I put it on her from the near side, with a hug, and immediately took it off her, she showed such surprise and gratitude. Then she was fine with it being put on and off.
Now to the off side. A new day. Very worried. Lots and lots of approach and retreat. Finally okay with putting it on her, but still worried, even when taking it off right away. Then finally okay.
Then I had her walk around with it. Worried, ears back. Lots of stopping. Yo yo game with it on seemed to help. Finally seemed okay, and took her back to the stall with it on.
Will need to repeat, and add having it slip off her to her feet. She'll not like that, but maybe that is part of her worry. She seemed happy that she was "asked" if it was okay to put it on her back, and to have her worries appreciated. Wouldn't be surprised if so much of her panic goes way back to first being saddled, as I don't imagine her opinion was asked. And of course, for 9 years, I never asked, either.
We seemed to have ended fine. Rubs and apples afterward.
Oh, and my new approach with syringing her supplement is now paying off big time. She has learned how to drink it as I syringe it! And she's okay when I come into the stall with it, etc. etc. !!!!
When I took her back to her paddock, she was okay following a feel to be released - well, at her level of learning.
What a lot of learning for me today.
In her stall she was interested and confident. When I kneeled on the ground she brought her head all the way down AND KEPT IT THERE while I bridled her - no need for reminders, first time!!!!
Then into the arena. I planned to work on touch it, focusing on feet. But as soon as she got in she looked at the mirrors, ropes and pylons in front of it and FROZE, RBI. Trying to lead her in different directions didn't work, she just wanted to freeze at the gate. After a while, I took of her line, thinking maybe she'd like to move around on her own - usually she walks right toward the mirror, ears forward. Nope.
So I walked around the arena, not in straight lines, went over to the ropes, then back. Used my carrot stick in various ways. Didn't help.
Then I sat across from her (40 feet) on the mounting step, did exercises, and generally tried to relieve all pressure. Helped a bit, in that she pawed the ground, and looked at me. But still would not move.
So then I decided she needed more leadership. Put her back on the line, and variously did forequarter and hindquarter yields, but it was very very difficult to get her to move away from a 12 by 12 area in front of the gate.
Finally, what seemed to work was the yo yo game (I only had her now on a 12 foot line). Remembering Pat's words from level 1 - without a good yo yo game you have nothing. She would go in and out of RBI mode but at least she was moving toward me, and away from me with some confidence. After a few times, I was able to play stick to me and direct her toward the letters on the wall and have her touch near them. Usually she will touch them with enthusiasm, but I accepted a try that hit the wall. Clearly she was still distracted and unconfident. We did this down the wall, toward the ropes. At the ropes she stalled.
Then, knowing that she really was confident with the mirrors before the rope barrier, I went between the ropes and it. Her ears perked forward and she came toward me. She almost touched the rope (probably afraid it would shock her). I yo yoed her, and then walked backward down the rope line and she happily followed me. Did this a number of times, and it clearly relaxed her. How interesting.
Now that she was more confident and attentive moved on to friendly game with new kidz carrot stick. She was happier with it as helicopter and extreme friendly than the larger stick. Still moving away, but not as quickly or far. I left my hand open so the rope could slide through and she wouldn't feel as much pressure. Given that she was still unconfident with these tasks I decided to do more extreme friendly game rather than touch it.
Picked up the tarp and crunched it. She was RBE. So lots of this, and moving it around, and having her follow it, putting it on me and walking toward and away from her etc etc etc. She was in RBE quadrant all the time, to various degrees. I couldn't touch her with it, but she got more confident over time. I let her circle around me when she got more stressed, and then she got quieter, but not RBI.
Moved on to the foam poles. Even though we ended on a good note with these previously, she was now RBE with them coming toward her. So, just started all over. Took her a long time to be confident with them near her, then with me holding them up lengthwise, then touching her with them. Having them on her back was okay after awhile, but when she moved she went RBE extreme. Maybe I'm seeing old old baggage. This tells me that no way should anyone be on her back, if something like this makes her panic. I'm glad I'm now taking the time - of course also wishing that I had known years ago what I know now. Eventually, she was calmer with them.
Cause I had the time, and she wasn't RBI or extreme RBE I did one more game. This time with her fleece quilted saddle pad. When I've saddled her outside her stall but with a line, she is RBE with the pad coming toward her. Same today. Did lots of approach and retreat with it coming to her and away, then touching her. She wasn't as extreme as with the poles. Then, when I put it on her from the near side, with a hug, and immediately took it off her, she showed such surprise and gratitude. Then she was fine with it being put on and off.
Now to the off side. A new day. Very worried. Lots and lots of approach and retreat. Finally okay with putting it on her, but still worried, even when taking it off right away. Then finally okay.
Then I had her walk around with it. Worried, ears back. Lots of stopping. Yo yo game with it on seemed to help. Finally seemed okay, and took her back to the stall with it on.
Will need to repeat, and add having it slip off her to her feet. She'll not like that, but maybe that is part of her worry. She seemed happy that she was "asked" if it was okay to put it on her back, and to have her worries appreciated. Wouldn't be surprised if so much of her panic goes way back to first being saddled, as I don't imagine her opinion was asked. And of course, for 9 years, I never asked, either.
We seemed to have ended fine. Rubs and apples afterward.
Oh, and my new approach with syringing her supplement is now paying off big time. She has learned how to drink it as I syringe it! And she's okay when I come into the stall with it, etc. etc. !!!!
When I took her back to her paddock, she was okay following a feel to be released - well, at her level of learning.
What a lot of learning for me today.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
UDT
An hour grazing today. Lots of wind but bright sun. She took me up the road again, and into the field, exploring the midpart this time.
Did calisthenics to keep warm, exercise, and pass the time without pressuring Z. When I was doing leg kicks she got worried, but I ignored her and she settled herself down.
Had to squeeze between a truck and barn to get back inside. Z showed curiosity, not RBI!
Did calisthenics to keep warm, exercise, and pass the time without pressuring Z. When I was doing leg kicks she got worried, but I ignored her and she settled herself down.
Had to squeeze between a truck and barn to get back inside. Z showed curiosity, not RBI!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Confidence & Curiosity
Wow. An incredible day. This is a long post, so much happened, it is difficult to think of writing it down, but here goes.
1. On arrival Z went to the end of her paddock, to stand by her boyfriend. I said hello, went into the paddock and stood at the fence, looking toward the other horses, pretty intently. Get my mind on her as well, but made no assumptions about whether she would or would not catch me. After a couple of glances her way, and about a minute, I heard her moving, I looked and she was walking toward me down the fenceline, then stopped. I turned away, and maintained same energy and intention. Counted to 30 and she started walking again. I did not look, waited, then she stopped behind/beside me, an arms length away. I looked at her, smiled, we shared a horseman's handshake. She came to the fence and started looking where I was - maybe wondering what I had been watching? Super moment 1.
2. We walked to front yard to graze, and after awhile she started walking toward the road. Stopped, looked up the road, and away we went. Clip clop, nose rollers going, but ears forward and a medium pace. She was looking into the yards - no doubt wanting their grass, and at the road, and the snow, dirt. When we got to the top of the hill she looked around for a bit, then turned back to home. After awhile she indicated she wanted to go into the field (she had seen horses returning from a hack through the field a couple of days ago). So in we went, she took me to the top of the hill, then walked across the field behind the fence line. Exploring and observing as she went. She stopped and watched the horses below, who were looking at her. After a bit, she headed back home. Super moment 2.
3. I had sent up two cones, tarp, and foam ground pole in the arena. She walked in ears up, but when she looked toward the mirror/ropes she started going RBI, so I turned her away from the mirrors. Ears perked up, moving forward. Walked in serpentines, every time she showed interest in the mirrors we went toward them, when she went RBI swung away. After awhile of this she took herself through the CONES!!!!Ears forward, nose down. It was her idea. Super moment 3.
4. I stood on tarp making lots of noise as I asked her to circle (she had already smelled the tarp confidently). She was super AOK with this (review when I did this last year, and she went RBE). In fact, this helped me stand at ease, but without any worry that she would stop circling. She did a couple of times, but it was to ask me a question. The walked a circle 3 times without stopping, then I asked her to trot. She did, without stopping, until she came to the foam pole. Stopped and sniffed. Wondered what to do. When she started to go RBI I had her move sideways, which surprised her, then she continued trotting on the circle. She looked where she was going when she got to the wall, sometimes trotted past the pole. Sometimes stopped and needed assistance in knowing what to do, but always when I moved her away, she continued in the direction, trotting. Today I learned that Z can maintain direction, maintain gait, and look where she is going when trotting a circle - BUT, not all at the same time yet. So I don't need to "fix" it, she'll do that on her own, as she gains confidence. Super moment #4.
5. I stopped the circling and she offered to go sideways at the walk, toward the left. I stood, let the rope out, minimum phases, and she did a perfect sideways walk, never backing from the wall or showing confusion. Super moment #5.
6. Tried lead by the leg with the soft 12foot line. She freaked, RBE, took off with the 20foot line between her back legs, ran around two times, dragged the line over the foam pole, and then stopped. Snorted at the line, then followed it, smelling as she went. Kind of a super moment, in terms of her calming herself down. Interesting, second time in a row that the rope has gotten caught in her legs. Mmmmm.
7. On to extreme friendly game with tarp. Picked it up, she backed away. I shook it, smushed it, went near her, she kept moving. As long as she did, so did I. When she stopped, I stopped making the noise. After a while I was able to stand next to her with it, she smelled it, I made noise with it, she didn't move. Calm. It is so much easier to desensitize her when she is RBE, cause I can stop as a reward. Can't do the same when she is RBI.
8. Other extreme friendly games - waving my hand behind her head. Quick to calm state.
9. Then practiced with the rope on her back and around her off hindquarter. First she went mild RBE, but I kept hold of her halter, even though she did get away a bit. Quickly calmed, and I was able to have her turn away from me CALMLY during and after. Head down, blowing. She was proud of herself. Supermoment!!!
1. On arrival Z went to the end of her paddock, to stand by her boyfriend. I said hello, went into the paddock and stood at the fence, looking toward the other horses, pretty intently. Get my mind on her as well, but made no assumptions about whether she would or would not catch me. After a couple of glances her way, and about a minute, I heard her moving, I looked and she was walking toward me down the fenceline, then stopped. I turned away, and maintained same energy and intention. Counted to 30 and she started walking again. I did not look, waited, then she stopped behind/beside me, an arms length away. I looked at her, smiled, we shared a horseman's handshake. She came to the fence and started looking where I was - maybe wondering what I had been watching? Super moment 1.
2. We walked to front yard to graze, and after awhile she started walking toward the road. Stopped, looked up the road, and away we went. Clip clop, nose rollers going, but ears forward and a medium pace. She was looking into the yards - no doubt wanting their grass, and at the road, and the snow, dirt. When we got to the top of the hill she looked around for a bit, then turned back to home. After awhile she indicated she wanted to go into the field (she had seen horses returning from a hack through the field a couple of days ago). So in we went, she took me to the top of the hill, then walked across the field behind the fence line. Exploring and observing as she went. She stopped and watched the horses below, who were looking at her. After a bit, she headed back home. Super moment 2.
3. I had sent up two cones, tarp, and foam ground pole in the arena. She walked in ears up, but when she looked toward the mirror/ropes she started going RBI, so I turned her away from the mirrors. Ears perked up, moving forward. Walked in serpentines, every time she showed interest in the mirrors we went toward them, when she went RBI swung away. After awhile of this she took herself through the CONES!!!!Ears forward, nose down. It was her idea. Super moment 3.
4. I stood on tarp making lots of noise as I asked her to circle (she had already smelled the tarp confidently). She was super AOK with this (review when I did this last year, and she went RBE). In fact, this helped me stand at ease, but without any worry that she would stop circling. She did a couple of times, but it was to ask me a question. The walked a circle 3 times without stopping, then I asked her to trot. She did, without stopping, until she came to the foam pole. Stopped and sniffed. Wondered what to do. When she started to go RBI I had her move sideways, which surprised her, then she continued trotting on the circle. She looked where she was going when she got to the wall, sometimes trotted past the pole. Sometimes stopped and needed assistance in knowing what to do, but always when I moved her away, she continued in the direction, trotting. Today I learned that Z can maintain direction, maintain gait, and look where she is going when trotting a circle - BUT, not all at the same time yet. So I don't need to "fix" it, she'll do that on her own, as she gains confidence. Super moment #4.
5. I stopped the circling and she offered to go sideways at the walk, toward the left. I stood, let the rope out, minimum phases, and she did a perfect sideways walk, never backing from the wall or showing confusion. Super moment #5.
6. Tried lead by the leg with the soft 12foot line. She freaked, RBE, took off with the 20foot line between her back legs, ran around two times, dragged the line over the foam pole, and then stopped. Snorted at the line, then followed it, smelling as she went. Kind of a super moment, in terms of her calming herself down. Interesting, second time in a row that the rope has gotten caught in her legs. Mmmmm.
7. On to extreme friendly game with tarp. Picked it up, she backed away. I shook it, smushed it, went near her, she kept moving. As long as she did, so did I. When she stopped, I stopped making the noise. After a while I was able to stand next to her with it, she smelled it, I made noise with it, she didn't move. Calm. It is so much easier to desensitize her when she is RBE, cause I can stop as a reward. Can't do the same when she is RBI.
8. Other extreme friendly games - waving my hand behind her head. Quick to calm state.
9. Then practiced with the rope on her back and around her off hindquarter. First she went mild RBE, but I kept hold of her halter, even though she did get away a bit. Quickly calmed, and I was able to have her turn away from me CALMLY during and after. Head down, blowing. She was proud of herself. Supermoment!!!
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