October 3, 2013
Grooming day today. Loving it.
October 5, 2013
Feeling yuckie because of a virus, so not much energy and doing simply things, asking for some improvement.
- circling game - trot and canter changes of direction. Canter in both directions - sooo much better to the right!
- yoyo - body energy as phase 1 (it's working!)
- sideways toward - using arm as phase 1 (took a loot of repetition, but starting to develop).
October 6, 2013
Supposed to be hubby's day, but now he is sick.
HQ yields 360 degrees, phase 1 and 1.5
FQ yields 360 degrees, phase 1 and 1.5 (going to the right FELT her being with me rather than leaving me!!!!!)
Touch log (touching easy, wanting her to leave foot on log not so easy)
Coming over log, stopping - Not able to stop.
Travelling circles at trot and canter - very good
Change of direction at canter - getting started!
October 12, 2013
Back to see Z after spending time dealing with critters-at-home crises, as well as still feeling debilitated by a virus. Lots of loving, poop cleaning, watching her eat grass. Then some stick to me at trot and canter on 12' line. Zaina seems to really be enjoying this, much more than cantering on her own! If I had any energy I'd be enjoying it too.
So nice to come out after a number of days knowing that she'd be happy and well looked after. I can concentrate on further both of our learning and development rather than dealing with backsliding because of ill health and "issues".
October 13, 2013
Online 22' Line: Travelling circles at trot. Canter (beautiful, very good both directions, change of direction at trot - not rushing past me anymore. Sideways from distant in zone 1, then backing - maintain distance as I move toward her - SUPER (works moving toward grass!).
Freestyle: Look ma, no hands - working on myself walk and trot. Zaina being super.
Liberty - in the outdoor ring. Stick to me, walk and trot - only lost her once. Sideways, and toward me.
What a gal!
October 15, 2013
Trot and Canter online for warm up.
Freestyle - developing turns on FQ without reins. When she gave one big effort without the reins I jumped off.
ctober 17, 2013
Warm up - HQ and FQ yields, etc. Trotting circles - Muscles in back really starting to work. Looks different.
Freestyle - nervous horse, inside ride which we haven't had for quite some time. Lots of disengaging which helped. Working on no reins. After a halt and asking her to walk on she started turning in small purposes with her back coming up. I thought something was wrong. Jumped off. Then realized she was doing FQ turns without me using the reins. Got me off! Good Girl!!!!
October 19, 2013
R's day for play. FQ and HQ PPG - excellent.
Circling walk and trot - terrific
Figure 8 walk and trot - terrific
Point to Point - driving. Needs development. R not being clear on driving versus halting aids.
My turn - friendly and squeeze game with hula hoop. Touching her all over - no more fear.
Pushing it underneath her - no response.
Rolling it in front of her - too boring.
Stepping into it with front legs. Stepping through it with 1 hind leg. Not able to back out of it.
Oct. 22, 2013
October 27, 2013
R's day today, but I got first dibs and played at liberty. Super draw, super sideways. Inviting over obstacle but she couldn't do it. No matter. Lots of trust and try. When R was finished I did FG with bag. Worried - I walked backwards, rubbed her when she couldn't come forward. Lots of confidence building. When she sniffed the bag on the ground I quit.
R's play session was magnificent. Zaina being super responsive and connected.
FQ and HQ yields (pp and driving) 360 degrees, phase 1.
R learning sideways game - Zaina being attentive, but a little worried. Still, terrific (driving) both directions along wall.
Z very worried about squeeze game in first area tried it. Changed to other side of arena and R just had her squeeze between him and the wall. Much more confident, but crowding a bit.
Friendly game - combining with lots of rubs and PP (thanks Kari Bowser) to develop confidence not just tolerance.
Circling - walk and trot, 6 laps each absolutely FANTASTIC. Zaina flexing toward R for the most part and maintaining her responsibilities. R's phases, timing and technical skills excellent.
What a fantastic session. The relationship is a 3-some now, and it is a terrific feeling.
