August 1. Jumped 22"!
August 4. Hubby learned Games 1-3!
August 10. First time riding with others in 1 1/2 years. First time riding with sliders and spinners ever!
August 16. Low flying plane repeatedly buzz up. Zaina's a cool customer. I get off. Yeah Parelli!
August 1, 2013
Online
Quick warm up with saddle on.
After ride, in paddock asked for jump over 22" obstacle. Zaina did it from a standstill!
Freestyle
Bosal hackamore, 3rd ripe. Developing straightness on circle. Difficult to left. I had to figure out my cues and body weight and positioning to get the turns. After about 15 minutes GOT IT!
August 2, 2013
Zaina has a girth sore, probably from the heat. So no riding for awhile.
Online
Friendly game with hula hoop, which we haven't done for 2 years. Skeptical at first, but approach and retreat means we made fast progress with confidence. I had to watch carefully though, to ensure she wasn't running away inside, but although during this session she didn't lower her head she was able to stand still and think.
Then asked for a squeeze - feet inside hoop. She stepped on it! So good to be inviting not telling, and accepting unwillingness as "that's good too". Means making fun progress rather than torturous attempts.
45' Line - circle canter. Getting better to the right.
45' Line - figure 8 trotting. Difficulty coming back when going to left (stiff going to left is now clearly a "thing" online and under saddle), but ended with a success.
Squeeze between lying down barrels. Scary. Very glad to now know how to do squeeze game properly and how to develop confidence by making it easier, rather than keeping on at the scary level.
Liberty
Banging going on in the barn, so Z got worried but I was able to shape it into stick to me, and then into a walk circle. Lots of trouble changing direction to the right (so at liberty to the right is difficult....), but by being persistent in the proper position I was able to help her manage a full circle!
August 4, 2013
Online
Carrot stick riding online: Great to the right, difficult turning to left (as was riding last session).
Circle at canter 45' Line: Much much happier going to the right. Able to move with her because outside and this kept her calmer.
Figure 8 trotting 45' Line: Continuing to develop.
Squeeze between barrels. Developing confidence.
Squeeze over 22' jump - no worries.
Hubby learned Games 1-3 with Z today!!!!
August 5, 2013
Online
Extreme Friendly Game with hula hoop, session 2. Walking, moving hoop in zones 2, 3, 4, and 5. Ooops, 5 is scary. Developed confidence!
Squeeze game with hoop session 2. Both front feet inside, with me on her right side. I love how she now trusts me and is willing to give these tasks a chance. I love how I'm smarter and can see the try earlier.
Canter circling. She is stronger now and much more balanced going to the right. Time to shape her bend a bit now, as being strung out isn't helping her physically or mentally.
Figure 8 at trot. 22' line. No issues with turning back so need to figure out what is happening with 45' line. Time for a video coaching session!
Squeeze between barrels session 3. Able to stop in all zones, and back up.
Barrels nice distance apart.
Liberty
Stick to me at trot. Lots of "go" today.
Circling - still very difficult to have her turn from left to right. Spent a long time trying to figure out what to do about this, then "bit" her so her butt moved away from me. That did it! She couldn't keep her eyes off me!
August 7, 2013
Online
Went over obstacle with tarp calmly!
Cantering continues to improve. Beginning to develop some flexion.
Trotting, when asked for flexion she FLOATED!
Figure 8 trotting on 45' line - fixed
Friendly with barrels, asking to touch with foot - worried.
Friendly with friend opening doors, banging around - will come back to this.
Friendly with hoop - okay in zone 5, stood in it, walked through it leaving 1 hind leg inside as walked.
Liberty
Stick to me - not too interested.
Figure 8 at walk - success! really good on send and return!
August 9, 2013
Online
Falling leaf to help get the emotions down (work happening on barn roof has her wanting to "go")
Then Ada with the circling, walk and trot.
Me with cantering. Went ballistic to the left - perhaps hit a wasp? As after got her stopped she calmed down and was able to canter right then left without issue.
Lots of Friendly game today, with Ada's assistance. Stepping into hula hoop, pushing ball, ball on back (worried - haven't done this for awhile).
Inside, lots of friendly with Ada going up and down the stairs and opening a door into the arena.
Then touch the barrel with leg. Used clicker for help, and bingo done. Afterwards she was pushing the barrels hard enough with her nose to make two of them move!
Squeeze through barrel, very narrow space.
August 10, 2011
Online
Warmup "S" curves, stick to me at walk and trot, driving.
Freestyle
Wearing bosal. First time in arena with other riders - Z at first little jumpy at the reiners spins and stops but was able to calm when I got her doing stuff. Walk and trot with lots of changes of direction. Back coming up, getting more relaxed.
August 11, 2013
Hubby Online
Friendly, stick to me at walk zone 1, hide your hinney. Hubby much more confident! Zaina processing.
Me Online
22' line weave at walk and trot.
Sideways from zone 1
Touch barrel with foot (worried, did it)
Squeeze through barrels (narrow).
August 13, 2013
Online
Lots of UDT as I cleaned the paddock and had Zaina on grass. Then to the outdoor ring.
45' line - point to point working at longer distance
- weave (super) First time weave at walk and trot on 45' line!
- circling, walking and trotting over pole (no problem)
- circling, canter (very calm)
- walk, asking for flexion (excellent over stepping and flexion)
- back to point to point, much improved responsiveness.
Lots of rest time at the barrels, of which she is still VERY skeptical despite her ability to touch and squeeze through. Only asked for a moderate squeeze, then just down time, making them our sweet spot.
Indoor, S pattern with work happening on part of stable. Z from very calm to a little worried to calm again.
In paddock asked to squeeze over scary jump. Did it from standstill but worried, then refused. Lowered pole and did it from standstill calmly. Wrapping the pylon in the tarp seems to have increased the worry factor.
Beautiful day!
August 14, 2013
Online
Warmup - turns on FQ and sideways. Walking with bend - lots of overstepping!
Freestyle - outside, wet footing. Z didn't mind the much. Good for fitness!
Developed bends, cloverleaf pattern, backing, sideways. Lots of trot, including standing at the trot. My confidence a lot better. Reins even, and looser.
"Bumping" with rein when she braces - very effective!
August 15, 2013
Grooming with Ada followed by hoof trimming.
August 16, 2013
Ada's online play session today. Developing her skills with the weave pattern (walk) and extreme friendly ( Zaina putting feet inside hula hoop). Ada's increased confidence and skills are really benefiting Zaina. Zaina was calm, connected, and responsive throughout - even when I left the ring. First time that I've left and Z has stayed mindful of her partnership with Ada.
After Ada's playtime with Zaina my turn to ride. Focus is on increasing my time in the saddle, Zaina's fitness, and developing flexion. All coming together. Ride time was shortened by the unexpected and repeated visit of a flow flying plane. Zaina was a rock. I withstood 3 passes and then got off. Plane disappeared, I got back on. Plan returned. I got off. Yeah Parelli.
August 18, 2013
Hubby's play session with Z. More confident.
Haltering.
FQ and HQ yields (driving) before leaving paddock.
PP back from nose and chest
Yo yo
Stick to me at walk, getting in harmony, changing directions
All terrific! Zaina quickly connecting with him.
After hubby's session, circling with canter to left. Then asking for flexion at walk and trot. Going to right, got a BEAUTIFUL flexion at the trot.
August 19, 2013
Online: Preflight warm up.
Freestyle:
Really chilled out pony. Continuing to develop fitness, changes of direction (turning left continues to be a challenge)
Incorporating transitions within the trot to help bring up her back.
All very wonderful. No low fliers today....
August 21, 2013
Very hot, and I'm tired and moody from work issues. Decided to mostly hang out, grooming and cleaning the paddock. Went for some grass, refining PP backing from chest and PP FH yields - one step at a time (working now!). Then a squeeze over a very narrow space and small log, then squeeze over our 20" scary jump. Put out the markers as the sweet spot (learned this from August audio lesson) - love the psychology. Zaina looking sooo good these days. Her coat is beautiful.
August 23, 2013
UDT with Ada. Lots of grooming. Happy horse and humans!
August 25, 2013
Robert's play day. Driving
HQ & FQ - Zaina much more responsive, R's timing better.
Stick to me at walk and trot - great harmony at the walk, at trot Z working VERY hard to slow her pace to stay with Robert. As a result, more collection!
PP - chest. Really good
New game today - circling. Zaina a clown "I don't know how!" "I need to come in!" "I need to go the other way." R having to be a leader, which worked.
My turn with Z, circling to develop flexion. REALLY nice stuff happening at the trot to the left. Floating with collection!
Asked for canter to left as well, from the trot, but as she's immediately going into a nice rounded trot but losing it at the canter I quit, so as not to wreck the new development.
Trot to the right flexion coming. Fun!
August 26, 2013
Online: Warmup. Walk & trot, developing flexion, much improvement to the right.
CS riding online changing directions, backing up, halting. VG
Freestyle:
Started outdoors. Had to move her feet. RAN over pole and kept going. Turn face and wait calming. Got off when garbage truck arrived. Started to rain so moved inside. Z much calmer. Became conscious of how much using the reins first, so developing eyes - belly button.... This helped Z relax a lot.
Patterns - cloverleaf with circles. Some major trots from hind end - whoooohoooo - she's got soo much strength.
She let me know when it was enough.
Liberty
Beautiful connection. Figure 8 at walk, stopping for reward at each return before resending. This made a huge difference. Clearly understands pattern and willing.
Close range circle, ditto.. Best walking close range circle to date. She had a chance to leave to the door, but choose to stay on the pattern.
Learned to day the importance of ask for a lot, accept a little, reward often - the formula for progress and relationship building!
August 28, 2013
Online:
Preride warmup - carrot stick riding, changing directions. All good.
Freestyle: - Videocoaching filming
Cloverleaf pattern
Circles
Lots of learning to come from this videotape!
Finesse (not filmed):
First serious finesse ride since our beginning Game of Contact sessions in the spring. Working on developing flexion. Lots of bracing. I maintained my position and tried not to be pulling. Took about 10 minutes and she released. I got off!
August 30, 2013
Started outside, driving Zaina in the big ring from one end to the other rewarding with grass. It was a very windy day and she wanted to GO, so this gave us both a purpose and target and big reason to stop.
From there to the indoor, where went directly to liberty.
BEAUTIFUL figure 8 at the walk,
Developing stick to me at the trot - she's starting to be more inclined to want to stick to me!
Circle, great at the walk to the left, when I asked for the circle to the right and she changed back to the left I played the "okay, but go faster" game, and this got her interested in walking to the right!
When at the canter she left I said "What a great girl!" and she came trotting back, and tried harder to stick with the pattern - that open door is soooo inviting!
After that great time (Know when to quit!) I had a very mellow online session. Slow with steady progress, big rewards for big tries
- backing toward an obstacle
- bending on the circle
- Lots of carrot stick online riding
- Squeeze through the barrels.
Delightful way to bring this month's play session to a close.
