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).