MARCH, 2012 REVIEW: Achieving My Dreams

Review of March: So much has happened over the past two months, with Zaina and I playing at liberty, and our sudden move to new sticks. I'm continually amazed at how quickly we are progressing - in spite of Zaina's vision difficulties, in spite of negative emotional "vibes" end of January and into February at our previous lodgings, in spite of having to move. All of this would in the "old days" have resulted in an emotional melt down for both of us. Instead, we are both centred, and Zaina has been thriving.

I think that one of the reasons we are progressing so quickly is because of a gaol-setting/tracking system I created in December. I had found, after passing my level 2 online audition in October, that  I became unfocused, finding it difficulty to figure out how to manage my way through the seemingly insurmountable level 2 online, how to achieve level 2 freestyle, and how to move into liberty.

In December, I decided to do something about my lack of focus.

 A) I made 3 lists, one for each savvy from the audition assessments, and added  prerequisite skills still needing to be developed  to accomplish tasks.

B) I made a sub-list of the goals I could imagine accomplishing over a 3 month period.

C) I created 3 grids, one for each savvy. The left column listed the tasks/goals to work toward in a particular month. I had 20 columns for the likely number of days I would play with my horse (as I only see her 2 or 3 days a week).

D) Beneath the grid I listed under the headings for the following 2 months, the tasks/goals that would be forthcoming if I achieved the prerequisites. White space to write down tasks played toward that weren't listed or other important "stuff".

E. I dedicated a lanyard to wear at my play sessions. In the plastic thingy I inserted an index card on which I identified 3 tasks/goals to focus on for each savvy. Before using this I was playing too much on tasks already developed.

F. After each play session I place a tick inside the appropriate column for the goals played toward. I review the grids to identify goals I'm ignoring, and put them on the lanyard's index card.

H. At the end of each month, I create the grids anew, moving forward the goals still working toward and adding new ones. 

How is it working? February 2012 - cantering circle game at liberty. This wasn't even on the list as I didn't know I could have it as a dream.

Not sure of date: On Line: Started to play with a new task today: Point to Point using the Driving Game. Driving Zaina is difficult because she doesn't want to be the leader. I've been practicing it by slowly drifting to z4 and 5 when she's exploring, and savvying up on touch it from 22 ft.. Today I kept the distances short and targets very clear, and repeated the same pattern. Took a bit of encouragement but then she "got it" ' "Oh, you want me to go to this and touch it, like the game we play, but now you are behind me." lick chew lick chew.

Also played with the tarp, haven't had it out since we moved. Goal is to have her confident leaving her hind feet on. Today just played at being comfortable touching it with all four feet.

Also started serious play with cantering on the circle game. She's very happy with the footing and so what was a problem a couple of months ago, is now easy for her.

Here are some of our highlights:

March 4, 2012  Was very glad today to have my Parelli "portable round corral" handy: stick & string, 22 foot line, proper halter and lead line (my brand new 9' parelli lead). When I was taking Zaina from the barn to the field a gelding from the neighbouring property suddenly appeared and he was heading straight for us without much of a care for the human (ie, ME). I got to put die Schwiegermutter look to a purpose, bring up my phases big time and use the end of the rope to keep Zaina and me safe. 

I managed to keep her from turning her fear into a fall and got her back into the barn. Then back outside with my stick and string to deal with the mayhem being caused with the other horses. The 22' roper and savvy string were useful for tying up broken fence tape. Whew!

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March 13, 2012

 I am beginning to understand that Level 3 is all about transforming one's self - transforming how one "is" to support the horse's learning. Yikes, no small feat there! But my goodness, what a beautiful mountain to climb. 

My first few steps on this part of the journey have reaped incredible shifts in my relationship with Zaina. I had not realized before how little I needed to do, and how soft and immediate a response there could be. It has been impossible to record all that has been happening, as it has less to do with "tasks" and everything to do with a dance. 

Gettin' it, Zaina - slowly but surely.

March 20, 2012

When I was grooming Zaina she asked (maybe insisted in an RBE's hesitant manner) on checking out every single grooming tool that I was using. 
I'm usually been polite enough to show her what I'm using, but she's never demonstrated much of an interest. 
It is as if a huge block has melted; the block that has prevented her from being able to be confidently curious. This made the grooming session more of a conversation and less of something I was doing "to" her. 
Mmmm, I'm wondering if any of this has to do with my recent reading "grooming as tea ceremony" in Zen Mind Zen Horse.

March 23, 2012  Today Zaina played with her hoof trimmer's hair when she was standing next to the stall. Wow, she's never done something like that before. All you LBE guardian's gave to protect your heads, but not from a RBer, usually. How wonderful that she's developed so much confidence!

March 25, 2012  Today I was able to ride freestyle for 30 minutes maintaining a short casual rein! Yahoo - I'm finally being able to give up micro-managing with the reins. What a journey!

March 28, 2012  I am appreciating that the freestyle patterns put me in a position of being Zaina's leader - something that while riding I have difficulty doing. As an RBI I am getting too settled on Stick to the Rail, which she does just fine, and that is not being a leader. I have to be more progressive with my selection of patterns so that Zaina is being challenged to learn and thus not spend time worrying about where the monsters might be hiding - and me too!

MARCH, 2012 FREESTYLE FUN

MARCH, 2012  FREESTYLE

March 4, 2012

Great trot; was able to do a passenger lesson for about 15 minutes - she actually started this herself cause we were walking and I think she was bored. Since it was so calm I went with it. 
She later got worried because of horse action happening outside, so then I got to practice lots and lots and lots of disengagement.

She's now understanding that I will release her when she relaxes not just stops, - her signal to me is to touch my toe with her nose. - too cute.

Backing is tremendously better, as is sideways. Also much more confident halting close to something.

March 13, 2012

Much happier with the saddle - no walking away at all. If I could stop being a clumsy crow I wouldn't be the cause of her issues!
Her ribs are very high to the left, which I now realize is the cause of her discomfort with being girthed. Have sent a question to parelli saddles to see if they have some advice for helping her with this problem.

Beautiful to mount, and got very soft lateral flexions and beautiful backing - soooooo soft!
Sideways to left very good; to right very stuck. She braced, I turned it into a circle and turned that into a sideways that was much better. 


Passenger game at walk and trot, transitions, trotting circles using my body and working at her softening through her body by bending. 
She gave me a totally wonderful small circle around the mounting block by following my body feel, so that was time to quit.

March 17, 2012

Zaina was speedy and distracted, but I was MUCH more confident than previously. Having read earlier in the week from Pat's book about the need to imagine riding on days when one isn't has, I believe been productive. 
Also, having gained more control over my energy and purposefully focusing on the need to be a leader emotionally - versus a leader that is just telling her where to go - has had a positive influence. 
I had no fears about getting on her despite the snow coming down the cover all, whereas last week I was worried about the wind. I knew that if I needed to get off quickly I had the skills and connection with her to do so. 
Funny, on Thursday I was thinking that I'd never really have Zaina's confidence enough to ride through difficulties, and here it is Saturday and I've proven myself wrong.

March 20, 2012

Doing some experimenting with the theraflex pad in order to relieve pressure on Zaina's left shoulder. Then focused on partial disengagement to help her relax. Still a ways to go. She was very happy to walk and trot over a ground pole. Walking a shortened cloverleaf to the right seemed to help her.

March 22

Riding focus today was partial disengagement. Has taken me a lot of reviewing of various videos to even begin to get it right. It's not a complicated technique, but goodness I can make a mash of it. It is beginning to make a difference, but will take a few more rides before Zaina stays calm longer.
Think I figured out the best shimming technique for the saddle pad. She was much happier today. I removed the left air pad and am using 3 shoulder shims (but only one on the right side). I think this is taking all the pressure off her left shoulder area.

 March 25, 2012  Today I was able to ride freestyle for 30 minutes maintaining a short casual rein! Yahoo - I'm finally being able to give up micro-managing with the reins. What a journey!

FINALLY getting the hang of partial disengagement. Today I was able to move MY ribs outta the way too - mmmm, wonder who's been the bigger problem???? Also able to transition to walk through partial disengagement after 3 trot steps (Linda Parelli; "How long do you keep the tension? Not a moment longer."). I think that I even blinked now and again. Left rein became significantly more relaxed. Right rein still tense in trot, BUT transitions are good. AND when the get down rope came down in front of her she got worried but didn't go extreme!!!!

Liberty: Touch it - had not played at this for awhile. Took Z a bit of thinking before she was able to listen, but then even got her to turn away and back to me in order to get back to the target!

 March 28, 2012  I am appreciating that the freestyle patterns put me in a position of being Zaina's leader - something that while riding I have difficulty doing. As an RBI I am getting too settled on Stick to the Rail, which she does just fine, and that is not being a leader. I have to be more progressive with my selection of patterns so that Zaina is being challenged to learn and thus not spend time worrying about where the monsters might be hiding - and me too!

Windy day with ice on the coverall so good day to put my partial disengagement practice to a purpose. I remembered to keep my ribs moving, and noticed that when I do that my legs also move in unison with Zaina's body. Did very little trotting, as I knew I'd get worried, but was able to progress to figure 8s, which Zaina seems to now be enjoying. She appreciated my getting off earlier rather than later - we stayed in our comfort zone in that regard.

March 29, 2012

Longest ride, with big improvement in my leadership. Circling backwards - unbelievable. Much less need for partial disengagement. Figure 8 at trot on short casual rein, super. Now just need to add the carrot stick to my repertoire!


Biggest learning and fun - I picked up a small cone on a ledge above Z's head while halted, and that really worried her. Spent 1/2 hour attempting to have her line up with the wall so I could put it back - no deal. How do horses no EXACTLY how far you can stretch an arm? But, I used it to play all kinds of patterns and games - sideways, backwards, disengaging. I was proud of my leadership and her quite good calmness during my fiddling with the cone. So, now I know I need to do lots of friendly game with the side of the arena above her head.



Finally, lots of trot and walk over a ground pole. I just kept breathing and so did she. Who's afraid of a ground pole? Not Z or me!

March 30, 2012

Freestyle focus was on slow and friendly. Being more particular and persistent but with lots of rests. Carrot stick riding for the entire session (all at the walk), and was able to use it appropriately. I do have to practice swinging it over my head though! Really good to use it for sideways along the fence. Super disengagements with CS support. Didn't need it for circles or figure 8s. Oh - and used the whole arena for the first time since moving here in February. Z was skeptical at first, but a calm walk around that half then a retreat calmed her nerves (and mine).

MARCH, 2012 ONLINE PROGRESS

MARCH, 2012 ONLINE PROGRESS

March 4, 2012

Carrot stick friendly game - rub legs with stick, twirl stick. She wants to move when I rub her back legs - probably thinks I'm asking her to go (from the use your whip to make them go days). After a few times of not stopping until she stopped she understood. 



March 7, 2012

Two hour online session today with lots and lots and lots of friendly games, plus games to see who was really in charge. Turns out I was, which caused my idea to be hers and lots and lots of BIG licking and chewing. 

Play with the tarp - made it into the stick to me game: how sloooooowww can you go forward, then go back fast fast fast, then sideways.

After blowing zaina's mind by not being direct line, she was very happy to just wait with her back feet calmly on the tarp!

Shut my eyes and sat down for walk and trot circling game. VERY neat. She came in at the trot to check on me once. Really reinforced "at ease". 



At the canter, when I asked for a transition down she DID IT to a stop, looked at me and major licking and chewing. Wow, something happened there, and I'm not sure what. 

Then spent at least an hour of friendly game with the saddle. She's started walking away when I lift it.

Oh man, my arms are sore now, but it was worth it. This was a real challenge of respect rather than fear, but I used the friendly game as the means to win her confidence in me. My saddling technique has still been rather clumsy so I can't blame her for being put off. But I'm also worried that she's still worried about being ridden. Finally, I got my rhythm with saddling - it's not the text-book parelli technique, but then again, there are no rules. Will be interesting to see how Zaina responds next time - she'll let me know if my persistence was positive.

March 10, 2012

On Line:  More leaps of progressive today. Focused on the tarp, and after every success I kneeled down, turned away from her and contained my energy - was in the moment, as a release. Every time she responded with licks and chews and a relaxed head, and then we made further progress.

Sideways, stick to me, yoyo, backing around and on and away from the tarp. Not only was she happy to keep her back fee ton it but the end of our session - but she was CHOOSING to go to the tarp at liberty and THEN to walk over it when it wasn't necessary, on the circling game!!! 



Driving Point A to Point B. Needing to be persistent as Z prefers to keep me beside her especially on a straight line, but it's coming along. 



Also today, more friendly game with the saddle. Took far less time than previously to have her stand confidently when I picked up the saddle.

Today we walked al ot with it, both eyes, and as with the tarp, I'd put it down, kneel down etc. When I put it on the tarp Z especially relaxed. I found out that the noise the saddle rack makes when I pick up the saddle bothers her, so played friendly game with the rack. Outcome - Zaina going to the saddle to sniff it without even being asked.

Standing confidently to be saddled.

I continued the saddle play by putting the girth on, and she worries about her left side, both at front and side of saddle. I pushed it further back and that seemed to help the front. Then kept my hand under the flap and pushed on her ribs before girthing.

After repeating this a few times she let me tighten the girth without getting anxious. 
Once she was saddled played the games online some more so that there was no meaning to the saddle in terms of riding.

March 13, 2012

Circling game downward transitions - Zaina always seems surprised that she's been asked to slow down, and usually comes to a halt. Shows me that when she's circling she's not really connected to me, so gets surprised by the requested. However, she is understanding, and is not TOO worried about the change.
Ran through drive Point A to Point B, touch it with tarp (not as willing to have hind feet on today) and stick to me along the perimeter playing with changing directions by yielding.

March 17, 2012

Online today videoing with and without the saddle to send for some insight into her left side asymmetry. She was reactive - snow coming off the roof, and probably spent most of yesterday inside because of the weather. Despite her RBE antennas being up and about she was connecting with me. Very different though, to be having to spend time with her doing 
something more goal oriented and thus not spending as much time watching and just "being" with her. Had a negative influence on her emotions. I tried not to be direct line, but of course that is very difficult for me at this level. This session confirmed for me how sensitive she is to my energy and emotions, so that she couldn't do tasks that last time were easy and fun for her. I'm understanding more how much savvy pat and linda have, to be able to maintain the horse as the priority while still getting things done, especially in front of audiences.

March 20, 2012

Focused only on one task today - sideways over a pole (log). Zaina worried at first about it, but I patiently persisted and had success (close range and just a few steps). I'm learning now that she is trusting me enough to help her work through her worries; and I have a much better understanding of how to go about this in a non-threatening way.


This is a big change. It used to be that it would be necessary to take a number of days to build toward the task in increments.


Another change today was I was able to get myself to do less online before saddling her, and then playing longer online with her saddled.

March 22

Online was carried out almost entirely with the saddle on. Happier trotting circles even with the stirrups dangling. Sideways over pole as a stick to me game is working!

 March 25, 2012 

Zaina very mellow today. Played Point A to B driving, then saddled up and did some circles, HQ and FQ turns. Tons of licking and chewing, and even chewing on the ground pole.

 March 28, 2012 

Driving point to point, squeeze over raised pole, and increased rotations of walk and trot circling. Zaina was worried about strings and ropes today, so a lot of persistent friendly game. BIG sighs when I repeated politely follow the feel around Z5. This has always been a worrisome task for her, but today I took the line and also played lead by the neck, and leg with it, then went back to it around z5. That process blew her mind, and she was SOFT with the feel afterward!

March 29, 2012

Zaina did a wonderful 75% non-emotional trot over a pole and 3 cavelletti blocks (2 side by side, one at the other end of the pole). This is our log simulation. I was so very proud of her, especially since it was going to the right. I didn't ask for it again, or from the left today, as this is a major breakthrough. 
Also played with strings/ropes again on Z4 and 5. Rubbed with my jacket as well. Lots of improvement over last session. Then later on asked for her to follow feel of rope around and it was super soft. 
GREAT driving from A to B, at end of 22 foot line both sides!!!!!!! Huge achievement.

March 30, 2012

Focused on friendly game today - friendly game with crunchy plastic bag in my hand, on my arm, and tied to carrot stick. Helping Z with her confidence from it touch her and having it flick around including above her near the wall. Success? she accepted it at liberty, and when later outside I picked up a LONG tree limb from the ground she let me scratch her back with it - this thing was 5 feet long with tentacles! Wow.

MARCH, 2012 LIBERTY LEARNING

MARCH, 2012 LIBERTY

March 4, 2012

Played at touch it - increasing my distance.
Walk, trot, and canter at circling game. Still a bit difficult for her to go to the right, and not wanting to change into that direction. I softly move back and then push her away - this actually resulted in some half spins, so that was really neat. After a few times she stayed to the right.
Stick to me at the walk, and turned it into an imaginary figure 8 pattern. She knew what I was doing and got a bit punky at the change of direction but I stayed soft and inviting, and she stayed with me. So maybe our problem with the figure 8 and weave has been that I've been shouting at her?

Asked her to play touch it with her feet on the tarp - and she did!

March 7, 2012

After two hours of online play I didn't want to ask any more of Zaina at liberty, but when she walked away from me as I was carrying the tarp I knew we needed to do some friendly game. She let me put her on it, and backed up but it was very bracy. When I took it off and tried again she left. So then we played the catching game, and her left brain self arrived.
TWO times she walked over to me and took a carrot piece - then LEFT! Tricked me twice, shame on me! After more catching game, I sat down on top of the tarp while she gave gigantic licks and chews. I love parelli.

March 10, 2012

No touch it at liberty - too much drive online? But great circles, w-t-c. Nice changes of direction at the trot. She's getting more confident having me on her right eye.

As mentioned in my online update, interested in the tarp. Was happy to touch it with her feet when asked. Then walked over it during circling game. Is this the same horse who before would do everything possible to avoid it on the circling game????

Really neat, when I asked her to come to me to be haltered when we were finished she stopped part way and was sideways to me. I lifted the carrot stick in an arc as if I was reaching toward her offside hip to tap her sideways - AND SHE IMMEDIATELY STEPPED HER BACK LEG TOWARD ME!!!! This was not her favorite thing online, so I am truly amazed and grateful for her willingness to respond in this kind of way.

March 13, 2012

Sideways along perimeter testing whoa and go as light as I could be, walk and trot. Then into the canter, and down to trot. She goes large at canter but comes back. Very tiring. Lots of fun.
Four walk circles (a number of soft corrections as she gets distracted!). Trot very good to left. When I asked her to disengage she came right in. Attempted to send her to the right but she kept putting me on her left side. As I tried to disengage her she walked away, I persisted and persisted and persisted and she finally did a BIG DISENGAGEMENT then started GIGANTIC yawns, licks and chews. I sat down away from her and let her take all the time she needed for processing whatever it was that happened for her. Was many minutes - I was worried she was going to disengage her jaw!
When she was finished I asked her to follow me to get her halter, which she did.
Beautiful play. So much happening.

March 20, 2012

Some nice circling today with my focus being on developing the number of walk rotations. Interesting how she very happily chose to go over the pole on the liberty circle!

 March 22

 Better walk circles, 4 to left and 3 to right, minimal reminders. Happily going over the pole each time. Got hepped up at one point and did trot and canter circle on her own. After that excitement she was happy to just stay at the walk.

Touch it - had not played at this for awhile. Took Z a bit of thinking before she was able to listen, but then even got her to turn away and back to me in order to get back to the target!

 March 28, 2012 

 Big LB blow up today. When I put pressure on Zaina with my energy to draw her over the raised pole she went into a canter and MOVED big time. Would not disengage, so I helped her canter longer and faster. When she ran toward me and swung her head I drove her back with the savvy string being a snake. She wasn't being mean, but dominant, so I upped my leadership. Sent her out again and she cantered hard so repeated the process. Three times, and then she softened. I put the halter on with the feather line and this surprised her as she figured she was done for the day. But nope, asked for stick to me including back back back back, and squeeze over the pole which she did very very softly. Guess she got tired of my waiting for her, and now its time for me to expect more faster, again. Neat.

March 30, 2012

Liberty was short and all about friendly game with the plastic bag. She was interested in exploring it with her nose, and was good with it being on her body.
Also - first time lead by the back leg at liberty. At first she asked me a question "Are you sure about this?" And I just smiled and nodded, and she was fine with it - gave me two steps back in complete calmness.