FEBRUARY 2011

FEB 1 2011

(Undemanding time today, as Z was not interested in coming to the gate. I went around the paddocks patting all the other horses - that made her interested and MAD! Lots of Arabian neck swinging! Interesting....

 After doing the rounds, and picking pooh, I came down the fence line and she came over to greet me. Gave her hugs, and she stayed with me when I came in the paddock, but when I didn't give her a treat she was miffed. Left, came back, let me give her a neck stretch but then played hard to get again. I ignored her, left, came back down the fence line. She again greeted me, but not interested in coming with me. I left, and as I drove up the road I could see her standing at the gate, ears up and toward me.

Interesting, that I feel kinda like a LBI, with my tongue sticking out at her. I wonder if that's a good thing?

FEB 5 2011

(On Line, 60 mins) It's not about the tarp: sideways around; yoyo away from, and backwards toward, circling, lots of friendly game. Then on to circling game at trot - I was more "persuasive" using the carrot stick when she stopped but didn't ask a question and wasn't RBI. That got her energy up, and I let her canter and canter and canter, finally changed it to traveling canters and she did those too! Then over to the "it's not about the ground pole", wouldn't let her go over it, sideways, and yo yo away, then to the tarp. Very interested, tried, I'd then send her back a step or two.

Touched, sniff, played with front foot ! Then all repeated, repeated, repeated, repeated. Lots of friendly game with carrot stick - no tension, then oh so calmly walked over it! DONE for the DAY! Guess Z also watched the LHB "It's not about the trailer" chapter. Once I showed her I was understanding, not pushing, she synced with me.

What a beautiful feeling driving home, knowing that yes, today I did right by her.

FEB 7 2011

Z was very low key today, so went very very slowly, giving her lots of time to process info, and ask questions.

Heading in from outside had her mosey over to various items, and go into a dark stall (trailer loading simulation), and back out. She was way better at backing out then the last couple of days. Did it a couple of steps at a time, then back in, out etc etc.
In the stall, played "lead by the tail". She wasn't getting it, even though we've done it before. Just kept at it, releasing immediately that she softened the slightest. After a couple of minutes she GOT IT and would lead softly.
Heading to the arena, more touch it, then wait at the gate, then partly in, then back out, then partly in and wait. I can feel her body much more relaxed now as we wait, rather than pensive. It makes for a much more relaxed entry all round.
Much more confident eating carrots amongst the cones on the mounting block!
Revisited it’s not about the tarp, and went through the same ritual. Then Z gave me 3 calm laps of a walking circle going over it – maintained gait, maintained direction, looked where she was going!!!! Next visit I’ll reduce the it’s not about the tarp ritual, as I think she’s beginning to think I want her to hesitate.
Also played stick to me weaving through cones – she’s very confident if I’m close to zone 2, loses confidence as a move a bit away from her side.
Played it’s not about the ground pole, sideways, yoyo away, sideways to the wall.
When we had finished with the tarp, and for the day and headed past the ground pole she braced and gave a look that I know meant, "Oh no, we’ll have to do that now too." I was savvy enough to take her away from it and quit for the day. Before, I would have tried to do too much.
Starting today, as part of my skill development, I am going to pose the question, "What should I have done differently?"
Ans. I should have waited longer when she relaxed, to give her more time to lick and chew. 

FEB 10 2011

Mind, Flexion, Weight, Feet" - ooohhhhh, hadn't realized before. Way too often I go for feet before even trying for her mind!

Not today, and hopefully not ever again. What a difference. In the stall, with leading by the ear and tail - thinking not pulling (me that is), and then her (thinking).
Came to meet me half way today in paddock! yahoo, it has been awhile.
In arena, CURIOUS again, went to check out the far end, including the ropes in front of mirrors, snow, tarp, and ground pole. Oh, and first went to the mounting block to check for carrots amongst the cones. Very confident UNTIL a cone fell down, then wouldn't go back, so left it - more carrots were those came from. She was worried at first when I played friendly game with CS &S as she searched for the carrots, but then relaxed.
More breakthroughs over obstacles. The tarp is a done deal at the walk, at short range – very relaxed, will stop if asked and chill out.
Played it’s not about the pole/jump. Started with circling in each direction nearby, started anxious, not looking where she was going, then relaxed, slower trot, looked where going.
Later played sideways in front of the pole – very worried about getting zone 4 next to the wall at end of pole. Moved her further away, was more persistent and she panicked and ran, but then relaxed.
Later went back to the pole and played quick approach and retreat with her giving me left brain neck snakes. THEN she left, went in the other direction, and OVER THE POLE – her idea, calm as could be!
Had a break, played stick to me walk and trot, best trot ever, paying lots of attention to me.
Then stick to me over the tarp, and over the pole, calmly. Then asked her to trot over, little stressed, but next time super calm! That was it, a calm trot over the pole. What a gal. What a great end to the session. Smiles all round.
Today's review: What should I have done differently?When when she became afraid after knocking down the cone to get her carrots, I should have done more retreat rather than quickly getting her to try again.

FEB 13 2011 It would have been Classica's birthday today. 

(On Line, 15 mins) Prior to today's catching game, played touch it with more tension/energy and direction (re; L&HB #8, FG compared to Driving Game). BIG difference. She knew exactly what I wanted. So what I read before as lack of confidence in her touching stuff, was her actually not knowing what I wanted - mmm, go figure.

(Liberty, 45 mins) Change of plans to catching game when Z walked away from me when I was changing lines, so I took advantage! VERY interesting. She kept her eye on me, and fair amount of movement. When I got more provocative she ran, and did the neck snake at me. But always had her ears up, and it seemed to break through some of her hesitations. In the midst of playing the catching game she walked over the tarp calmly a couple of times, and touched the ball. I stopped when she was able to come to within 4 feet of me.

I liked today's play because I was able to experiment despite my worries of doing the wrong thing, and as a result was more provocative than usual. I did have to reassure her afterward by drawing her in and walking away, as she was hesitant.

What should I have done differently/ do different next time? I do not know. I am confident about the on-line play - in her stall when I was leading by the ear, and she got stuck I waited!!!! until she chewed. So high fives for me there, it did take awhile. I didn't push her when she got nervous finding her carrots (I had set up different objects amongst the carrots).
I know there are other things I coulda done during the catching game, but do not know what. Soooo, I'll not play it again (unless she offers), until I've watched more videos.

FEB 15 2011

(On Line, 60 mins) Z was very soft today. Hesitant on the draw and a bit bracey with carrot stick/string, probably from last day's catching game. So just repeated friendly game, and walked away as I drew her after me. She was interested in DOING stuff, not just standing around. I could send her onto the tarp using 12ft line. She walked over crossrails!!!!, then later followed me over them, no brace.

Played at touching pedestal with feet - she didn't know what to do, but was generally not fearful. Did not get feet on, but hooves touched.

Shoulda done? Should have quit sooner rather than doing pedestal, as she was soooo soft about going over the tarp and cross rail. Remember, less now - more later. But she was ears up and calm after the pedestal. She seemed to understand that I was trying to teach her something, but didn't know what!

FEB 18 2011

(On Line, 60 mins) Introduced the parachute to Z today, hanging up. She was cautiously curious, rather than afraid. After lots of other stuff she willingly touched it with her nose, and that made her more confident. She was able to stand parallel to where it was hanging, with her head across from it. Front feet on folded up tarp - this was an interesting puzzle for her to solve, as I could see that she was interested in this "new" thing that was the same and different from what she has regularly known as the tarp. Played the weave pattern at the walk, on 12 foot line. She was VERY GOOD. Haven't played at this pattern for a long time. It was a mess before, but now she is watching me to tell her what she needs to do, and was not afraid of the cones or the carrot stick/string.

FEB 20 2011

(On Line, 60 mins) Put the saddle on Z for first time since November, but with the new theraflex pad. She was very skeptical about everything, especially does not like the rattling noise of the western saddle and the bouncy stirrups. Lots of friendly game, along some sideways, circles, and weave patterns to build her confidence and distract her from the saddle. I was careful to watch her thresholds. Needed lots of support early on, but the more she did, the more she was able to move further away from me and continue.

Weave at walk on 22 foot line was very good - first time we've done it on that length of line. Finally, was able to ask her to circle at a trot - she got a little fast, but I was able to bring her back to a walk, and then after a bit she was able to calm herself! When she did one circle at calm trot to the right (hardest for her), quit. She was very content afterward.

Coulda/shoulda/woulda? MORE friendly game simulating saddling (ropes on back, etc), and do patterns before saddling to get her in the mood for saddling.

FEB 22 2011

Leftish brain horse today, needed me to be extra polite as well as assertive. 

Moseyed around the barn before going into the arena (had been in, due to the weather). This improved her attitude. She stepped up on stairs today - first time in MONTHS! With one set she then bent down and munched on the hay, nothing like a purpose to going up stairs, cause really, why else bother if you are a horse, or human for that matter!

Warmed up strong before saddling, and helped a lot. She was too wound up to weave, so went to circles. She did a PERFECT change of direction at the trot. I think she surprised herself, because after doing one circle in the new direction she stopped and had a big head shake, blew out, and chewed. Neat

Did lots of friendly game with ropes especially touching her opposite hip – she really worries about that, but kept her moving by playing stick to me through the cones. Her nightmare came true (of course) when the rope end fell off and tangled in her leg. RBE moment, but when I did the universal sign for cool down (both hands lowering – just happened) she immediately stopped, and looked at me as if, "Oh, you don’t want me to run away". I picked up the rope and continued friendly game and she was fine. How interesting!

Put the saddle on with a hug - first time ever. She was terrific. I had been certain (ie, assumed) she'd go nuts when the stirrup her her side, but she was totally relaxed. More so than when saddle the usual way. PP's right again.

Still anxious at the trot with the saddle, but the couple times she went into a canter she also settled herself. Managed to maintain gait and direction when faced with the cones after a few stops.

Went over a ground pole with the saddle on, both ways, no problem by the time I asked for this.

Biggest deal (aside from saddling with the hug) – yo yoed back to between cones!

Coulda/shoulda/woulda? After saddle is on, need to remember to check her neck flexibility.

FEB 24 2011

 Finally nice enough outside to spend UDT with Zaina. I cleaned up paddock pooh while she kept her eye on me and her boyfriend, then just sat in the snow and soaked up some vitamin D while she snoozed. She followed me to the gate when I was leaving - nice.

FEB 27 2011

(On Line, 90 mins) Z had lots of LBE "attitude" today! Was in yesterday and this a.m. because of the weather. Walked around outside and she munched on grass beside and under the trailer - guess it isn't about the trailer when the only grass available in February is to be found there! Glad I had the savvy skills necessary to help us both safely navigate the ice. She was happy to go up on a step today, even though there was no hay this time to get at.

She was very curious where the step led to (down a narrow passage - not for horses!). She offered to visit a darkish stall, so we practiced trailer loading, especially backing. Hadn't noticed before how low the doorway is to the stall, so an excellent squeeze obstacle all round. To much R or LBE energy to manage the weave pattern at a trot, so had to figure out how to get her to focus on turning through the last two pylons, as she kept blowing by me. Took it to a halt, then walk at that point, but next time will also follow her lead and make it a circle then into the weave again.

She understood what I wanted when asked her to move hindquarters toward the wall. Even though she was worried about it, she was paying attention, and responded to my release of energy when she moved, and to my ask. Really super to develop this connection. Lots of friendly game with rope hanging off her opposite hip, kept her moving. Still worried about it, but big improvement, especially when pull the rope off her. She still moves back but isn't as panicked.