OCT 2, 2012 (On Line, 120 mins) A's day to play with
Z, but I started with circling over obstacle to expand her emotions and
assess her confidence. Started out really worried, even though it was
one pole on a slant, low to ground. Guess she didn't trust that I wasn't
going to over-challenge her. When she was able to trot over it going to
the left stopped. Came back to the task after A's play with her, and
she was able to trot 3 circles calmly over it, then went into a
low-emotional canter, then took herself back to a trot. Going left, 4
calm circles, so asked for canter, 4 times - after 2 started to get
heightened emotions, but she still controlled herself.
A's play
was terrific. After 3 weeks of NOT doing the walk to halt and back task,
Zaina was primed for it. It went so well A went on to do
trot/halt/back. Then flowed together the games and tasks in prep for
level one audition. Just need to tweak and double check a couple of
tasks, and looks like an audition will be in the works by late October. A
has also noted she is ready to try out the 22' line. Talk about
progressive progress!
OCT. 5, 2012 (On Line, 45 mins) Wow, very interesting
day. Zaina went extreme right brain introvert when we walked up to a
slightly raised, on a slant, ground pole. Spent 30 minutes waiting with
her. When I'd ask her to move, she was like a robot. Her emotional
responses to raised obstacles is certainly interesting. This is the
deepest RBI she has ever gone. Decided it was NOT a day to ride. Now on
to research.
OCT 9 2012 A's play day with Zaina. Back to normal
Z, except when we lingered too long after touch it with the plywood
board, then she started to go RBI so moved her away. On a second touch
it with the board and leaving it immediately Z gave some GIANT yawns.
Mmmmm, very very interesting. "A" learned the weave pattern at the walk.
Zaina being an excellent schoolmaster.
OCT. 12, 2012
On Line, 45 mins): RBE/LBE
on the circling game - even rearing, which hasn't happened for 2 1/2
years. Then nutsy on the figure 8, so I did an ENTIRE fence line
sideways fast. After this excellent figure 8 pattern and then circling.
Sideways fixes everything.
(Freestyle, 45 mins) Had a great ride, despite rocky start and despite being outside in the wind.
Achievement:
strung 12 foot line across the top of the gate and was able to lift up
one end, back Zaina toward the fence, turn her sideways, and put the
rope on the other angle of the fence!!!!!! Later, I was able to retrieve
and put it back across the gate. Z only got anxious a couple of times
and 98% of the time she was truly working with me.
(Liberty, 15 mins) Outside. Stick to me with changes of
direction. Close range point to point. Tried a circle, but she left AND
then went over to trotting poles and took herself over one of them!!!!
That was the highlight.
OCT. 18, 2012
(On Line, 120 mins) A's
play day with Zaina. Squeeze game, weave at walk, sideways. Looks to be
that Z's left eye vision has again deteriorated as she seemed to have
difficulty understanding and kept repositioning herself. Adjust to fit
the situation in terms of body position. Then simulating audition
routine. While we were doing that Zaina took herself through the squeeze
and played touch it with the board and Z's raincoat!
OCT. 18, 2012
(On Line, 45 mins) For Aug. 18. Zaina
super wound up on circling game. Even sideways wouldn't make a change.
So then did travelling circles, despite stuff in the ring. Told myself -
her job to watch where she's going, and off we went. She was both right
and left brain extroverted so some of the obstacles were a surprise to
her, but she mostly kept up her manic canter. At the end of the ring she
stopped and had lots of snorts. Started on the way back and she went
into a fireball of a gallop, but didn't pull the line out of my hand. I
went with her, till she stopped.
Then all was quiet. Very difficult for
me to understand her need to move and to allow it rather than trying to
stop it. Seems wrong, but then again every time I have applied the
"whatever anyone else does do the opposite) idea, it has worked. And so
it does again. She definitely needs me to up the challenge, but hard to
balance her extroverted learning need with her lack of confidence.
After
this, decided to challenge her with backing over ground pole, but to
not push her over the edge. Asked more of her in terms of staying
straight rather than evading by wiggling. Got two steps back near the
pole and quit. Later came back to the task and she was straighter and
got near it quicker. Didn't ask for going over YET.
(Freestyle,
45 mins) Beautiful beautiful ride. See my wall for details.
In the cradle bridle. Keeping the inside ear's attention (thank you
Colleen Kelley). Felt I could have asked for lengthening of trot but
stayed in control and didn't - that's for next time!
OCT. 23 (On
Line, 120 mins) A's pay day. Push the ball - Zaina's
really liking this activity now, and so does A. After developing a
connection on to the audition routine. Lots of difficulties, as A's mind
was on being filmed and Z could feel the tension. Plus Z still finds it
difficult to go from one task to another without breaks. Trot to halt
to back up particularly a mess. After working on that, A went back to it
and with more focus things were better.
After A's time, set up a low
hanging tarp situation, hanging my jacket over the opaque plastic. Z
was curious and concerned, but with some reassurance lowered her head
and came through, both directions without running! Now need to increase
the difficulty further.
(Liberty, 30 mins) After much "goofing
around" and leaving me - thus I played catching game by lots of stalking
and then finally just turned away from her and cleaned up my gear. That
got her attention, and she came over and ate grass beside me. Guess its
no fun playing alone! After that managed a close range trot circle in
the outdoor ring no less!
OCTOBER 26, 2012
(On Line, 45 mins) 22ft line
from the get go for long rein driving with a purpose, around and about
to have grass. Lots of learning with how to position myself behind Z5,
and then shift in order to give her direction for turning away from me.
Driving back to the ring, sideways to ground poles, then short range
support to go over. She told me, "Who said I'm scared?". Travelling
circles at trot, then a canter with simple change, back toward ground
pole and over!
(Freestyle, 45 mins) Riding in the bit -
updated on my wall. GoC stage 3 without even knowing it. Kept the gate
open as we rode, and soon stopped worrying about it. Lots of lateral
flexion to begin with when played with going to, but not out gate. Then
in and out, turn and face and wait. Back inside for trotting, lots of
weaving. THEN out of the ring for a saunter to the back of the property
(not too far!), and home again jiggity jig. Three apple ride.
(Liberty,
30 mins) All she wanted to do was go over those poles!
Even sideways over. Weave at the walk. Lead by tail, asking for more
steps and start asking for turn (difficult).
