SEPT
1 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Better trot circle
to the right, not so good to left, but getting better. Sideways while eating
grass, 18 feet - with my feet still; ball confidence, and refining FQ yield.
Loving it.
SEPT
3 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Further play with FQ
yield. My feel has greatly improved, with my friendly touch being ultrasoft and
comforting. I know that I am now giving Z a clearer message when I change to
the PP game, and am also releasing sooner. Trot circling game to right quite
good, to left still poorly. She looked sore, so I walked with her as she
trotted then had her moving out and then more collected. This helped relax her
and the trot was fine. When I released her after this (off line), she gave me a
swing of her head, soooooo maybe I was on to her game???? How interesting. Also
played with the ball again, sideways and backing through barn door and waiting.
SEPT 5 2011
(On Line, 90 mins) More provocative
today with yoyo game, playing on hill - much better than a few weeks ago; more
connection, understanding, confidence. FH yield is still a rush. Great play
with the ball - chasing, confidence with it being bounced next to her, and
biggest breakthrough - bent her leg toward the ball! Trot to right still
sticky, I am persevering. Quit when achieved 4 circles without a correction -
took a long while!
SEPT
9 2011
(On Line, 120 mins) Yesterday, time
spent with Z as she got vet checked for the massive hive breakout she's
suffered. Some play to get connected - success with asking her to touch a
puddle of water with her nose, and backing toward a stone wall (needed to go to
phase 4+++ but DID IT, and the next ask was successful at phase 2 - thank you
Ron Pyne).
SEPT
10 2011
On Line, 30 mins) Brief play session to
check things out, as Z's hives have reemerged and she's rather uncomfortable.
Played at figure 8 and yoyo to get her mind focused on me and check her
fitness. Not so great. Started antihistamine, and will resume serum injections.
SEPT
11 2011
(On Line, 30 mins) Hives have quieted a
bit, and breathing is better, glands swollen. Played for a bit on 12' line: yo
yo to fence (crooked but done with phase 2 and 3), squeeze over small log with
only little hesitation, lead by front legs, started lead by back leg (worried,
but not bad), sideways to fence (facing opposite direction - not bad), and
biggest deal - touch it (log) with foot.
SEPT
14 2011
(On Line, 30 mins) Another short play
session, close range as Z's throat glands are very swollen because of her allergies
and she is reluctant to move out. Played touch it with feet again. More
confidence today, touched both feet (front of hooves) on barrel on its side.
This is a challenging activity for Zaina, but she tried with her heart and
because I released at the right moments she was able to understand what I
wanted - "crazy lady" she must be thinking, why should I touch THAT.
SEPT
15 2011
(On Line, 30 mins) Short session to get
connected in preparation for vet visit. Touching barrel with feet (day 3) - not
as confident as yesterday, but persevered and were successful. Lots of yoyo
game today, with more of a purpose (through obstacles, down the rail, and out
the gate) - that was a challenge. Very claustrophobic today, probably having to
do with her breathing issues. Vet visit found COPD - raspy lungs, heave line,
mucous filled oesophagus. Hopefully meds will quickly help. Two weeks before
allergy test results.
SEPT
17 2011
(On Line, 90 mins) Ahhhh, meds are
having a positive effect. Hives greatly reduced, glands softer, and breathing
easier (mine too, now). Was able to have a longer play session and be more
progressive. - lots of friendly game with rope and string on back legs. - day
4, touch barrel with foot. Less claustrophobic today (breathing helps!). I also
did more retreating, which helped. - much better yoyo backwards, although had
to go to "control" at gate, to stop the panic, which worked soooo
well. Not only backed through calmly, but later yoyoed between hydro poles that
last time were scarey. - lead by the leg, back and front, much better. Need
longer rope for back legs otherwise we are going sideways. - squeeze game next
to fence to improve sideways for mounting.
SEPT
18 2011
(On Line, 90 mins) Ahhh, breathing
relief. Meds are working and cooler nights/days. BREATHING. What a difference.
Trotted on a circle without a fuss. Lots more, but need to sit back and think
about it, as much is developing.
SEPT 21 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Hot sun has brought
some breathing difficulties back, so no trotting. Great progress in other
areas: - touched barrel with knee in less than a minute, with only 1 correction
for moving into my space, and no going backwards! I immediately took her away
and "let her sit", lots of chewing - lead by front legs, and left
back leg without emotion. Huge change for back legs from Sunday. - straighter
yoyos toward log. - faster, less emotional yoyos going out the ring, through
the gate, able to stop just outside of gate instead of continuing to go back. -
progress on waiting to eat grass until given permission. - progress on being
groomed in stall without eating the hay. Playing sticky feet when she wanted to
go to the hay was the key to this progress. After a few times of this, I could
see she wanted to move but "gave it a think" and decided "why
bother".
SEPT 25 2011
(On
Line, 60 Mins) Zaina continues to be doing well,
although breathing was a bit heavy today (sunshine), but we had a progressive
and positive play session. I was able to put into practice some of what I
learned from auditing Kari Bowser's lessons with Nova Scotia parelli gals.
Playing the game within the game (everything is a game, rather than a
punishment) - but need to remember this sooner and always. Asking more with my
body (working toward liberty), softer quieter phase 1 now. She touched the big
green ball with her knee today - fairly quickly, minimal corrections. She knew
what I wanted right off (this was first time for this since developing it with
the barrel), and just needed to slow work toward it. She made the softest
tiniest touch! Left it then, and later came back to the task and she repeated a
tiny soft touch. I'm happy she is more confident with me now, so trusts that
even though this is "weird" that I won't do something that will hurt
her. Led by front and back legs. Excellent FQ yields. HQ needed persistence,
but done. Great walking circles. I dared to ask for a trot even though her
breathing was heavy. She was a bit hesitant but gave 4 VG laps going to the
left, so I quit there, and didn't risk the other direction.
SEPT 28 2011
(On Line, 60 mins) Day 2 of touching the ball - today I
placed it between 2 barrels, so that worried her but it did not take long for
her to give a super soft touch. Weaved through cones at walk. Sideways while
eating grass. Trot and CANTERED on circle - first time asking for canter in a
long time. Even though her breathing is still laboured she had a beautiful
transition and maintained a beautiful canter for the two circles I kept her on.
Played at figure 8s between the barrels. Worried - has been awhile since we did
figure 8s, and not with the barrel. Changed it from 8s, to circles, to change
of direction to maintain her focus instead of getting more worried. Will come
back to this.
