More on Contact

Z was LBE the full time I was playing the game of contact with her outside. Lots of head swinging, moderate feet moving, a bit cheeky. Not following me yet but staying in my area, eating the little grass that there is. This is a big change, as usually she would go hangout at the gate waiting for me to take her for real grass, or she would eat her hay (which she had lots of, fresh, today). I decided not to push it further, since she is also being wary of me moving toward her, VERY aware of me, and jumping away at the slightest move for awhile.

 On line indoors, she set herself up for sideways with the wall (going toward the left), so I went with it, and she did a few steps. She seemed surprised! We played at it a bit more, lots of licking and chewing. I was able to keep my feet still and gently use the CS. What an achievement!

Used the SS to lead her by the ears. This is the first time we've done this (watched it last night on level 3 dvd, preparing for liberty). I used Linda's teaching about going with the direction of the horse with contact, and holding the contact so Z would know she hadn't yet gotten it - ie., when she put her head down, thinking that is what the pressure meant. It only took a couple of tries and she got it. Lots of licking and chewing.

Circling game: walked off to the right without hesitation. Only stopped once, then kept going until asked to come in and did a nice change of direction. My CS handling is soooo much softer, and so is my body. I think that's when I asked her to continue walking she didn't get worried. To the left she needed support (eye?) with voice and walking with her for a couple of laps, but then did it well.

Figure 8 through cones, walking, 12 foot line. Hadn't played at this for a long time. She did terrific at walk. At trot did really well with first change (right eye toward me), but has trouble with the second (left - bad - eye toward me).

We quit after this. She threw her neck at me when I released her in the paddock - so not sure if she was upset, or just being cheeky. I had a good time!