Dec 14, 2012
Dec 17 2012
Dec 26 2012 On Line
A's play day. She took charge of Zaina from the get go. Zaina was happy to be caught, waiting for her in the field, and A walked her to the gate with the CS around her neck. Then trotted with her to the back grass, where she then played HQ yields and backing to get a connection and develop her leadership. Then up the hill with some stops for grass.
Then I played with her, asking to touch the outcrop rock with which we've been developing confidence. Today, after a brief touch and a new ask she STEPPED on it with one foot then imagine, put both feet on it!!!! She stood up it looking around, even stayed while I played FG with the CS & S on her back!!!! A and I were soooo excited and pleased.
After this I asked Z to squeeze through the super close rocks and under the tree branch, which she did, eating grass as soon as she went through.
After going down the hill Z took over again, and as we got to the barn we learned a new horse had arrived. Z was preoccupied and got a bit excited, so A was now challenged to up her leadership in order to get back Z's attention and to keep herself safe. In the ring she did FQ yields then stick to me. From the back end of the ring, she played stick to me BACKING all the way to the front. This was a looooong way. A number of stops to reward and to get back straightness. While Z was a bit concerned she did wonderfully, as did A.
Near the gate I took over to ensure safety, and PP'd Z back while I walked next to her. With Z5 at the gate she rested, a bit emotional on walking away, so did it again, with much calmer retreat.
Then A brought her indoors, and we proceeded to get ready for level 1 audition practice. After a bit of play with Z to check out some tasks A was good to go. Audition routine was wonderful, so we left it as is in order to groom Z and take her for grass near the new horse.
Z nonchalant about the newcomer now. Had a look see, checked if the rest of the herd was around and okay with everything, then calmly walked off for grass in her field.
A terrific day, with Z and A both showing great advances in confidence. I am glad I've been able to contribute to both, and realize how much my confidence has also been developing.
Time now for A to move into more level 2 tasks.
Dec. 29 2012 On Line
Beautiful sunny day after a bit of a storm. Used the snow to help condition Z's back end, going up the big hill including sideways. To the rock for refining touch it with two feet, and through the rock squeeze but from the opposite direction. No problems!
Inside, a bit of bodywork, finding that she's in very good shape.
Played circling game. No problems walking and trotting over a pole. Cantering issues remain. To help with connection and thus listening, had her walk and halt 1/4 circles, then trot halt 1/2 circles. When that was established, canter and halt 1 circle (it has to be a full circle because she's got too much go to who sooner, even though I ask sooner than when 1 rotation is complete). This wasn't getting us much anywhere, and she kept getting worried by the footing. So changed to full arena length falling leaf, at the trot. This kind of blew her mind. After that, trot and canter in a different part of the arena. Got a NICE canter circle to the right, so quit.
Then 45' line touch it pattern. Able to play from further away. Had to be very assertive though at times to get a halt, but was glad to be successful. When I sent her to the ground pole she was happy to stand by it, explore, and walk over it.
Ended with backing over pole. It was a real mess, with no straightness being maintained and worried. I became more focused, and with my confidence enveloping her, took her back over, then forwards, then back, then forwards, then back - with her being willing. Very interesting.
More bodywork afterwards, focusing on neck releases.
Will be eager to see how this session translates into our next one.
Dec 31, 2012
Final play day of the year!
Well, last sessions success over the pole made no change for today, in fact, she was probably more worried. Switched to backing onto tarp, and was successful very close range and with treat reward for slightest try, along with retreat. Will try next session using the clicker to see if that helps with the pole.
Did have success with calm canters by using the figure 8 pattern. After establishing calm walk and trot. Adding the canter took awhile to establish as she quickly went into her slip sliding mode into ballistic tempo. However, once she understood the pattern - that after 1/2 the figure 8 she could stop, she began to settle and to pay attention to me as she cantered, so it was much easier to keep her connected and thereby prevent her from going totally emotional.
I kept taking the pattern back to the trot if she got worried, and would do 1/2 canters and 1/2 trot. She eventually became interested in maintaining the canter. I never asked her to change the canter lead through the figure 8, but to continue to do 1/2 stop, walk/trot through the change of direction and then canter. She was able to do these transitions and changes calmly.
Played with 45' line touch it again. Bit better connection - I have to stop micromanaging and moving my feet.
Stick to me on-line, with back up and changing direction to establish connection with her changing eyes. The latter was a challenge, and I had to be very assertive in what I wanted. Clearly I'm still being too soft with my body, so she's not understanding OR choosing to ignore me.
I also realized that once again I haven't been asking for enough movement early on. Have to remember to appreciate that she needs to move her feet, so need to get her into a trot from the beginning and ask for connection in that gait.
Ended the session with brief liberty play, stick to me with changing directions, touch feet on tarp. A stick to me turned into a canter so I pretended that's what I asked for and she made a half circle and didn't take off across the arena! Very nice connection overall at liberty, and very nice way to end a year of play.
