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!