MAY 2011

MAY 4 2011

(On Line, 90 mins) Squeeze theme: onto tarp and through tall parking pylons - slight skepticism, but then calmly through; 3 foot gap between wall and mounting block; interested in floor mat - sniffed, nibbled, and chewed, then put foot on and stayed on own accord (first day with this mat); halted with calmness over ground pole. In stall - very attentive to my energy, very respectful. A very emotionally moving day.

MAY 5 2011

(On Line, 60 mins) Brought out the ball today - has been ages (not the big green ball, a smaller exercise one). Z squished her nose into it!!!!!!! She wasn't keen on my rolling it away from her and us following - but she squished her nose in it!!!!! Set up standards with tarps, near a wall for a squeeze game. She was VERY skeptical. Thought it was time to go back to her stall and the safety of the boys (she is now the only gal in the stable). We did that a few times, then played around the squeeze.

After 20 minutes she followed me through. First part way, then backed out. Then all the way through, calmly. I'm getting so much better at respecting her fears, retreating, and letting her play out her emotions by trotting circles and then getting back to the difficulty task. . I didn't try to go both directions (her preference is to do a squeeze from the left, with me on her left), but took her back to the comfort of her boyfriends. Huge day.

MAY 9 2011

(On Line, 30 mins) Pre-ride check: disengage hindquarters, yo yo, trot and canter circling, All very good to excellent.

(Freestyle, 30 mins) Walking and trotting, mostly circles. Very improved trot - much more relaxed. Z let me have the saddle further back today, and it seemed to make a big difference. Figure 8s at trot and walk for relaxation, practiced sideways (poor - haven't done it for a long time, and she was very confused). Practiced balance exercises of dismounting - getting better. Very pleased with Z's calmness, given the stormy weather and open arena door.

MAY 11 2011

(On Line, 60 mins) Squeeze game theme: Household mat (day 2). Z touched it with her foot, then with her nose, then with her TEETH!. Then other foot, and after a hesitation stepped on it! Then back to exploration, including picking up the mat (a bit). LBE! Squeeze through standards with a tarp, and wall barrier. Much more confident than last time. Lots of BIG licking and chewing when she went through on a send.

MAY 14 2011

(On Line, 90 mins) More squeeze games through a chute, longer this time. VG going to the left. More hesitant to the right, but went 3/4 through, then stopped, waited. I backed her and let it go for the day. VERY confidant with ground pole. Walked over as soon as we came into arena; later easily stopped with it under her; THEN showed me how smart she was by bringing one foot over and waiting (for met o give her a treat) - GOOD GIRL. Lots of friendly time on top of mat, hanging around, two feet on easily.

Played figure 8 at a trot, hadn't for awhile. Much improved. Instead of trying to get her to trot the entire figure 8, I asked her to start at walk, then trot the change, then walk the next change, then trot. This made it easier for her to understand and/because she could control herself.

For the first time ever she stopped herself between the cones and had a rest/think. Beautiful. It has really been landmark time. Confidence in herself, and in me. I've gotten much better at appropriately waiting, and not asking for more during a session when she has given much.

She's asking me questions now, when circling and playing the squeeze game ("should I continue?", "Can I go back?"). Dialogue - not orders from me or straight out fear from her. It is indeed a wonderful thing.

MAY 17 2011

(On Line, 30 mins) Simple online session to get ready for freestyle. Had a length of plywood in the arena for first time to use as a pedestal. Z was curious about it, smelled it, and then put a foot on it. Later walked over top it without hesitation. Then when asked put two feet on it and waited. It was quite simple for her - she earned a pocketful of carrots for this achievement!

(Freestyle, 30 mins) Under saddle Z was not herself. She was reluctant to move out, and felt sticky in the back end. Also more nervous than usual. I tried to calm her and get her balanced by circling and doing figure 8s at the walk with cones but she kept stopping. I took the hint and got off. Unsaddled her and circled her, could see she was very stiff in her hind end. Cold? Muscle sore from being inside because of the weather? Heat? Maybe all three. Gave her some bute and bundled her up for the night. A year ago she would not have been so calm about this, but would have gone frantic as soon as I mounted, it was nice that she was trying to tell me less emotionally about her problem. I'm glad I'm beginning to listen.

MAY 19 2011

(On Line, 60 mins) Susan Stark "did" Z's feet yesterday. She is sooo intuitive, encouraging Z to investigate her tools, giving her carrots, letting her rest and walk around. Z is in love with her. She even started poking around her equipment. Beautiful to witness.

MAY 22 2011

(On Line, 120 mins) Lovely time playing squeeze game through a chute. Increased the difficulty by having one end closed off by the arena gate. Z was skeptical, but looked to me for direction and then entered the chute when I tapped her on the withers and put a bit of tension on the lead line. She stayed and had a snack, then when asked backed out - a little quick but not bad. Next time will close the end with a full wall, not half door. Put two ground poles on ground between the plastic cavaletti blocks.

Hesitant to walk over but with some time she did so, even able to wait with poles under her belly, and move a couple steps sideways. Confidant putting two feet on plywood board, Didn't ask for more as focus was on increasing ability entering the chute. Shelley played with us today, nice to have the company. Z's always happy to see her as she's the carrot treat woman. Shelley practiced her yo yo game with Z, who was happy to pretend that she didn't understand and needed more carrots instead.

MAY 26 2011

(On Line, 60 mins) Massage therapy day for Zaina, to try and relieve muscle tightness. She was VERY antsy; restless response in a way that I hadn't seen before. Pushing her head into me hard, trying to eat wood, lots of wrapping her neck around the therapist (not a hug, but trying to get her to stop). She was clearly stressed, and tried really hard to be submissive. Hopefully the therapy will have a positive effect, given how difficult it was for her.

MAY 29 2011
Finally, was able to play outside! Since watching the colt starting my timing is soooo much better, and as a result Z's responses were pretty incredible. She's both enjoying our sessions, and when something gets difficult letting me help her work through it.

Big deal today was after we finished I'd let her go and she was eating grass; I had to sit down on the mounting block as I was having a nose bleed (summer allergy fun). After about a minute she came over to check me out - put her nose near mine. Then she also checked out the flapping bag on the carrot stick that was beside me - I hadn't even realized it was there, before that would have been enough to keep her far far away.

Other achievements: walking without a problem over ground poles between standards, backing through high standards, letting me toss the rope over her head from the front (cold starting lesson), letting me help her figure out its okay to have the rope hanging down her quarters.