JUNE 1 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Had a great
on-line hack today. Z was being cheeky as a friend was with me and Z kept
putting herself between me and her. Guess she was jealous!
JUNE 5 2011
(On Line, 90 mins) Continue to see
major progress with Z's confidence. Today she was enjoying the sound her hooves
made on the plywood, and when the board tipped up as she stepped on it she
didn't get scared but seemed to play with it! She even let me help her back
onto it using the porcupine game. This amazed me, given her lack of confidence
in that regard.
Excellent confidence going into our faux trailer chute UNTIL I put the board in front if it to simulate a trailer ranch. That made her very worried. I helped her and she was willing to be helped. After she was able to step onto the board and take a step off it, forward, she looked at me to tell me that was really all she could do today, so we stopped.
Very much looking forward to PP Fawn Anderson's visit on Thursday! Will be my first PP lesson.
Excellent confidence going into our faux trailer chute UNTIL I put the board in front if it to simulate a trailer ranch. That made her very worried. I helped her and she was willing to be helped. After she was able to step onto the board and take a step off it, forward, she looked at me to tell me that was really all she could do today, so we stopped.
Very much looking forward to PP Fawn Anderson's visit on Thursday! Will be my first PP lesson.
JUNE 7 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) An amazing day. Z
was sooo connected with me, we were playing in thoughts and whispers. When we
first started she went went right to her plywood board, and when I walked away
to get my carrot stick she didn't follow, AND hit the board with her foot! I
guess I needed more than a whisper, but I got it. She played with the board
(amazing for an RBE), walked on it from the narrow end, and eventually stepped
on it with all four feet (not all at the same time), but would wait with her
back feet on it. Then, the big test - would she walk on/over it and into a
chute. Yes, took only 30 minutes, lots of retreat and "let her sit",
but she was asking questions and knew what I wanted, and was willing to let me
help her do it. Once more with feeling, THANK YOU PAT AND LINDA.
JUNE 9 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Zaina's lesson
with Fawn Anderson was powerful. We used the session to check out Zaina's
trailer loading confidence, and after 3 hours of helping Z become more
confident, and dealing with some leadership issues (homework), we were on our
way. Fawn was the epitome of Parelli Professionalism - demonstrating a level of
adaptability, knowledge, experience, wisdom and compassion that one would be
hard pressed to match in normalville. Once we arrived at Zaina's new home (a
journey which included Fawn helping Gail - THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP GAIL!)
change a trailer tire - more professionalism - Zaina disembarked out a little
fast, but in good mental, emotional, and physical shape. I was able to help her
check out the new place, and she settled in with minimal angst. Zaina is RBE,
and her ability to make this move, and transition, with relative ease is a
testament to Parelli, and its professional team.
JUNE 10 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Visited Z at her
new home. She is enjoying the attention of her new boyfriends. Our new barn
owner was enthusiastic about how wonderfully Zaina was adapting, showing
caution and curiosity but no strong fear issues. I took Z for grass and played
some games to help her focus on me, paying particular attention to her shoulder
butting into my space as she became anxious. I learned from our lesson with
Fawn the hugely important meaning of catching these small things, because when
they become big things the situation can become dangerous for the human and
emotional for the horse. Because of Fawn's help with this the previous day,
Zaina understood what I meant, so I didn't have to go to phase 4 after the
first "shove". It is soooo easy to let the small things go, thinking
one is being "nice" to the horse and therefore developing a positive
relationship, and oh how wrong that is.
JUNE 11 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Zaina's very
quiet, very calm in this, the second day at her new home. I groomed her outside
where she could watch her new buddies, played some friendly games with the rope
around her butt (big improvement since the lesson with Fawn). New barn owner
continues to be impressed with Zaina's demeanour, and was amazed that when she
called her name Z came running from the field. I think we've found a good home.
JUNE 13 2011
Fun session with Zaina today, playing in the coverall for the first
time. Horses in her area were still inside, so I took advantage of her
being able to see them as we played.
She was worried at first, and challenged me while playing the circling game (how interesting!!!!). But soon she was willing, and responsive. The deeper footing surprised her, and she had a few trips, but the circling game kept her calm and she figured out. How different from lunging, where this would have likely just made her more stressed.
I only had to remind her to keep her shoulder out of my space a couple of times, phase 1 and 2.
She did a fantastic figure 8 at a walk, best ever. Shoulder issue before?????
Played the yo yo game between cavaletti blocks, and it was very successful. Today I expected more of her, and helped her to keep straight by focusing on her shoulder, and not letting her have an escape route. Whereas before-Fawn, this would have led to more problems, today she understood and allowed me to help her go straight back. The first time was difficult, and she thought she should leave to play the circling game (rope wiggle), then she did not want to stand between the blocks, but wasn't afraid. Strong rope wiggle to keep her there. She was surprised by that, but stayed, legs kind of splayed, looking abashed. Long rest "Let her sit". Two more times, each time better with the third time excellent.
Excellent sideways down side of arena - let back end catch up to front by slowing down my feet instead of her front end. She even went around the corner!
Great progress, and a super super beginning in our new home.
JUNE 16 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Great circling
game at walk and trot today, including travelling circles inside with obstacle.
Went over a ground pole both directions without any hesitation, maintaining all
four of her responsibilities (and me, mine). With that success increased the
difficulty of the squeeze game over an obstacle and asked her to walk over a
jump pole raised 8 inches. No problems when going to the left. To the right,
hesitation and unconfidence. Politely persisted in the proper position, with
retreat and approach, and not making it too easy for her to escape (thank you
Fawn) - within 10 minutes she was walking over it in both directions without
emotion.
(On Line, 120 mins) First play in
the coverall during a thunderstorm! Z was a trouper, more worried about being
away from horse friends than the noise. I also got to work on my leadership
with there being a horse in the arena being ridden by potential buyers. I think
I did well, as Z started paying attention played well. Very nice walking onto,
then over the tarp. Needed encouragement - but I think because now she thinks
of it as a place to sleep rather than because she's worried. Was able to draw
her toward me with very light strokes of the rope. Walking easily over the
8" jump both ways. Good figure 8 at the trot, not smooth yet, and walks as
she comes toward me to change direction, but very calm trot. Need to work on
lateral flexion to improve the change. Very good stick to me at walk and trot.
Very good trotting toward me as I moved away from her, was able to keep her
from crowding me. Quite a bit of separation anxiety before and after the play
session, especially in her stall. Had a reiki session (first time), hope it
helps.
JUNE 22 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) After some circling game
and forehand turns to get Z's attention went for an on-line exploration of the
nearby road/trail. A few times Z was pushing into me, but now I know what to do
- sooner rather than later, and asserting my leadership helped her to stay
confidant and calm. Still lots of separation anxiety - choosing to be in a dirt
paddock next to familiar horses rather than in a grass field. Nice that once I
start playing with her she is focusing on me.
JUNE 23 2011
(On Line, 120 mins) Zaina much more
relaxed today! Quiet instead of dancing when inside, happily eating grass
instead of needing to move and grabbing at it. Tons of progress: Introduced the
big green parelli ball - and she was way cool with it. Touching it right off,
and putting her head over it, and stepping toward it, letting me bounce it away
from her. Thinks its weird when I roll it. Trotted over cross poles, both
directions, thought about it first, then did it, and got better coordinated
with each time - amazing how different it looks and must feel for her, to go
over it with a relaxed mind and body. Biggest deal - let me drape the tarp over
her, and she took a relaxed step. Really didn't think this would happen so
soon.
JUNE 25 2011
(On Line, 90 mins) Squeeze game with
crossrails a bit higher - success. Circling game, trotting over ground pole -
all responsibilities maintained. Yo yo toward tarp - missed the moment to stop,
so wrecked Z's confidence with the task Touch tarp with feet to rebuild
confidence, working on less emotional coming off tarp; when came off with front
feet and waited, stopped - big success, and quit for the day. Beautiful gal.
JUNE 27 2011
(On Line, 90 mins) Squeeze game over
a 2' rail - great success (going to the left, not yet convinced its okay to the
right). Imagine, a few months ago her wanting to walk over a ground pole was
just happening. Today after she went over the rail, she turned and waited!
Played at walking up an down a hill, using porcupine game - in preparation for
yo yo game up and down the hill, as this is scary for her. Quit when she gave a
first good step each way. Touched the ball so that it moved, and she didn't get
scared by it! Few steps of sideways over a pole, very calm.
JUNE 29 2011
(On Line, 45 mins) An unconfident Zaina showed up today to play. Of course I had been planning to show off all the great stuff she can do to her fan club visitors, and I guess she felt the pressure and went internal. How interesting. So I played with how she was, slow and easy. She didn't want to jump a 2' vertical, but she was curious about going over 8" going to the right, which she hasn't wanted to do. She didn't manage to go over the vertical in that direction but I was excited about her interest. Pushed the ball a tiny bit, walked onto the board, and wore the tarp
(On Line, 45 mins) An unconfident Zaina showed up today to play. Of course I had been planning to show off all the great stuff she can do to her fan club visitors, and I guess she felt the pressure and went internal. How interesting. So I played with how she was, slow and easy. She didn't want to jump a 2' vertical, but she was curious about going over 8" going to the right, which she hasn't wanted to do. She didn't manage to go over the vertical in that direction but I was excited about her interest. Pushed the ball a tiny bit, walked onto the board, and wore the tarp
(Freestyle, 30 mins) Rode today for
the first time since coming to our new place, and in weeks and weeks because
she had been suffering from muscle cramps. After the online play, she
brightened up with being ridden. Was very soft in the hackamore - the softest
ever. Trotted quite calmly for the most part. Chose to trot onto and over the
playwood board. Also checked out the verticle - I said "no thanks, I'M not
ready for that!"
