JANUARY OVERVIEW
BIG DEALS:
Sat on Z bareback and took a few steps. Major confidence stretch.
Started video coaching with Genevieve Benoit and the direction resulted in major relationship and trust changes - for the better!
Learned about girth fitting from the parellisaddles.com site, and how my girth has been pushing into Z's abdominal vein. Purchased a smaller size and noticeable difference in attitude and movement online.
"A" achieved her Level One, with a score of 1++!
January 5, 2013
First play day of 2013!
Lots of ice on the coverall today, so although I had planned on riding thought better of it. A good decision. Even though the ice never did slide off, Zaina was in a variable mindset, and so after online play spent considerable time with savvy saddling. Lots and lots of friendly game. She was very skeptical. Hasn't been saddled since mid November, and she might be thinking that the saddle will hurt her.
Played at having her follow the pad, then the saddle. And spent a long time waiting between saddling sections. After getting her saddled, played at the figure 8 pattern at walk and trot. Once she was trotting it she let out a big breath, so we called it quits.
Besides saddling played at cantering on the figure 8. Second time with this task/pattern. She's still worried, but is paying some attention to me. Before doing this had spent time on 22' line doing point to point at trot, using the wall to stop her. She needed the extra encouragement to not blow by me.
Ended the session with a brief liberty play. VERY nice. Stick to me at walk and a bit at trot. She wanted to "GO" but did stay with me. Change of directions, much better giving me both eyes. Then to top it off, I asked her to move away from me and touch the cavaletti block, then to back up. She was torn between wanting to go stand near the door and being a partner - the partner one. Neato.
A very interesting day. Lots of emotions coming up from Z. I think I did a good job of keeping mine in check.
January 7, 2013
A's first play day since audition filming. Played stick to me but with asking for slight flexion so Z's attention could be directed to her leader. This is important for Z's advancement (and thus mine) through level 3, and will help A, with her level 2. It was a lot to ask of A - ask for flexion but keep shoulder out. I had to keep nattering and worried about this being too far ahead of A, but she dealt with it so positively, and was able to make advances. The proof was in the circling game (below).
Then on to level 2 task - opening and closing umbrella. Z and I had done this months ago, but it was new again now, with A and a different umbrella. Lots and lots of friendly game, retreating when Z relaxed.
Now the circling game, first time in ages and today first time for A using the 22' line. Did some simulations to help her figure out the handling of the rope. After that I guess Z had been watching because she did 3 walk rotations confidently. When A asked her to stop, Z gave GIANT yawns. I'm thinking the flexion preparation earlier might have very much helped Z with this task.
January 10, 2013
First videocoaching chat with Genevieve Benoit. I can't say I wasn't nervous. Extreme RBI kicked in big time, and have to admit I had to take medicated measures to relieve the anxiety. How interesting. That old extreme anxiety stuff does return. But that's okay, it told me I was worried, and instead of retreating from the challenge, I was able to do what I needed to do to proceed.
And the time was filled with exceptional quality of relationship and information and relationship support. 1 1/2 hours. I didn't expect that.
Afterwards I typed out my notes and made my "cribs" to take to the barn (hopefully tomorrow). Overall, focusing on improving aspects of various games - to be clearer, to be more aware of what I am doing, to make no assumptions. Moving toward excellence.
January 11, 2013
Wonderful play day, utilizing Genevieve's recommendations.
Catching game - letting her catch me. I realized during the session how often I miss opportunities to play this game, and instead just "get" her. Today I played it, and she was getting it. Even that last step! At the end of the session, I encouraged her to catch me using the entire arena. It was come and go, but she kept reconnect to me. This will make a huge difference to our stick to me!
Carefully assessed her squeeze "ya buts" and opened up spaces to give her more room, and WAITED 7 seconds+ afterward. This seemed to make a big difference.
Played sideways with the ground pole, and when asking her to walk over it she started banging it with her foot and pawing the ground. Confused? Worried? I sent her back. Lots of waiting. Then she came over it happily toward me. I was smart and DID NOT ask her to back over it.
Figure 8 at the trot, lots of repetition, with circling (NOT moving my feet). I realized this major thing, that we were in a bubble of serenity, just like I witnessed at the Horse & Soul event. Even though Z was stopping after each half rotation, there was a calmness to it all. Wow. This is something. As I kept her on the pattern, because I was trying to figure out the best position to stop blocking her change of direction, she stopped and give a big blow out. Thus, I thought it best to treasure the achievement.
Asked for circling next, at the trot, and SHE OFFERED A CANTER. Both directions, calm. After these weeks of mayhem, calmness.
This ended tasks, and moved to saddle fitting to check out the girth area. MUCH happier with saddling overall. No moving away. Asked her to lower her head a number of times and when she did I took off the pad. After awhile she seemed to just say "get on with it". No negative reaction to the saddle. The girth is pushing on her abdominal vein. Measured, definitely need a 20". Always learning something new!
January 13, 2013
Cathy Sirett, The Confidence Blog 2012:
1. "What are you tolerating in your horse rather than accepting." Gulp. "What difference will it make to your relationship with your horse when you accept rather than tolerate?" Whoa.
2. "What is your HORSE tolerating rather than accepting? Double Gulp. "What can you do to change that?"
Oi.
January 15, 2013
A very hard post to write because of the immensity of today. SAT ON Z BAREBACK - AND on the second "go" took four steps. Whoa - those felt like 4 WILD steps, as I was so unbalanced - didn't properly prepare. But I disengaged her, and she just stopped. I waited, she waited, slight lateral flexion, and slid off. She licked and chewed. So did I.
The first time I got on her, my mind was suddenly filled with ideas of all the horrible things that could happen. She of course was standing as calm as could be. I dismounted, and sat on the ground. My stomach was in my throat, I felt like I wanted to throw up. Mmmm, not very confident I thought. Then - that's okay, I don't need to get back on her. Talked with Barb who was my "spotter" about my feelings. Then got up and got on her again! Because it felt okay. This time though I checked her eye for permission. THen once on her, asked her to go forward. Oh MAN did this feel scarey. She felt like she was taking giant steps and OUT OF CONTROL. All in my mind of course. But it kept me safe because I disengaged her. I was able to wait and relax, before getting off. Lots to process on dismounting, as it was a big mix of fear and pleasure - that stayed with me for hours.
How did this come about for today? Because of the marvelous connection shown on-line. More catching game, had to play at it a LOT in the arena this time, in order to prove to her I was a leader. From that, a back up on the 45 foot line, parallel to me, from 15' away, just tapping my finger on the top of the line. Then vg touch its, even at the trot, then a great figure 8 at the trot, then cantering circles. Used the ground pole as the sweet spot which I think blew her mind.
When I lined her up at the mounting block she was calm and connected with my asking her with the CS to move sideways. Best she's ever done this task.
So much of this because of the improved catching game?
January 19, 2013
Super fun catching game outside, as Zaina's neighbour got Z to run the fence line with her, which Z decided was MUCH more fun than catching me. I got lots of HAHA eyes from Z, as well as quite a few "okay I'll play with you.... oh, maybe not!" Once the other horse settled down with her hay Z was really playing with me, seeing if I meant it. But slowly slowly her energy calmed and with lots of play repetition she came over. Beautiful to see her horse play though.
Focused on improving the HQ yield, when she was bracing I had to go to phase 4 and that really surprised her. Licked and chewed, then scared so lots of friendly game and then asked again. Took awhile for her to not be reactive, but then started to get some nicer disengagements and more on the spot. Going to the right is easier for her, to the left very sticky.
Also focused on improving lateral flexion.
Point to point again, on 45 foot line. Now that she understand and is listening, I'm staying further away and adding other tasks (back up, sideways). It is a challenge for both of us, but we are up to the learning.
Used the 45 foot line also for squeeze through cavelleti blocks, and looking for better disengagement.
PP game, with CS on her chest and backing. That was different! Needed to add driving game.
Using the ground pole as sweet spot again today.
Circling with the blocks but didn't get to figure 8. Lots and lots of improving disengagement instead, at walk and trot. Got a bit of canter, then she got worried again, so back to disengaging at lower gaits.
An "8" of a day for much of it. 6 and 7 for other parts. Had to go to phase 4 for one "yo".
January 22, 2013
"A" earned her red string! 1++, can't get any higher than that for level one. So very very exciting. Lots of scores in 2, 2+ (relationship, rapport, and obedience) and one at 2++ (friendly). Ashley Tippet assessed the audition. She commented positively on everything, especially noting how "A" waited appropriately for Z when she went RBI.
This feedback gives me a much better idea of how to help her progress. Since she's already level 2 in so many areas it means mostly helping her get comfortable with the 22' line, and now getting more particular (at a level 3 level) in her expectations of Zaina. Onward!
January 26, 2013
Brrrrr very cold week so not able to visit with Z for 7 days. No harm done. She's softer than ever, especially with backing. Very calm walking through narrowed barn doors - not even a hesitation, and much calmer in going into her stall. Just that bit of extra internal "who" rather than the touch of impulsion.
Tried the new shorter girth with her saddle. Super super super. I had thought it would be too small but it will be the exact right fit, just needs to soften and stretch a bit. Z thought it was better, too. No anxiety when girthing despite all the fiddling and pulling. Even when the snow slide off the coverall as I was tightening she did not react. After walking and trotting she was blowing out, licking and chewing and giving it a bit think. Her trot was more flowing, relaxed and with more pushing from behind.
Have special ordered the 20" parelli cinch for the bareback pad. Now I'm even more confident that it will work out.
Other activities this session - playing with the ground pole, asking for Z to walk over it. She seems to not be sure of what I'm asking, and is hesitating a lot, and I'm still not sure why. Pursued the idea of walking and turn face wait. Over the session did both directions, and at the end she seemed good with it. Especially enjoyed trotting toward it then stopping to walk over.
Oh, and also worked on improving HQ disengagement with the yield. Getting better. Much better disengagement on circling game.
January 29, 2012
Last play session of the month. "A's" day, first time in two weeks.
Focusing on increasing assertiveness, which she practiced at home and studied about from Parelli videos. Made a big difference in her approach and Z's response.
Catching game outside was challenging, as Z d'ruther stay with her gal pal. But we persisted and Z finally decided we were good enough to play with.
"A" created a ball toy that would dispense carrot bits when rolled, so spent lots of time introducing it to Z. She's not yet clear on its purpose - but also not afraid of it.
Also focused on developing level 2 "open and close umbrella" and circling on 22 foot line. Z in the saddle so not keen to trot with the stirrups flapping, but "A" handled the rope well and Z was pretty much a partner, including at the trot.
After the session Z had a roll and managed to fill an eye with sand. She became quite frantic, but settled and allowed me to do a lot of eye washing and poking around to clear out as much as possible.
