Whew, what a play day! Started off with the arrival of a confidant RBI, who then transformed into a confidant and playful and somewhat dominant LBE!!!! So I went from channeling Linda P, to channeling Pat - it worked well.
Played outside after about 15 minutes of grass munching (horses had not been out the day before, and Z was still in when I arrived at 11:30). Then proceeded to the outdoor ring. Worked on thresholds that came up (poles on ground; squeezing between car and shed). Very windy.
Z was a little RBI in going over cavaletti, but not bad. Went through water in ring without a concern. Unconfidant with squeeze game between parking pole and fence (over 6 feet of space).
THEN started the circle game. WELL, Miss Z walked around then said nope, she wasn't going to go around again - we were playing through the squeeze area. But this time I could tell that she was confident, cause her ears were up and she was quietly chewing. So I kept asking. And she would go, then refuse, and try to turn around. So I was persistent and we got on with things. Then I asked her to trot and she went through the same thing again, except would go into canter, insane gallop, rearing, etc., but usually not pulling the rope tight! And still with her ears up. When she put her head down and pawed the ground I could tell that it wasn't because she was worried, but because she did not want to listen to me. So we kept at it. Lots of tantrums. Lots of trying to use the cavaletti as an excuse to stop. Lots of rearing. But I was never afraid, as she listened to my finger to stay back. I was in complete neutral, no emotion on my face or in my voice except when she did well. I'd just keep starting over.
Took a break, did some cavaletti walking which she now did very confidently. Filled in the holes she'd made in the dirt - making her stay back from me, which I had to be sharp about and it worked.
Came back to it (all the while going to right - as she kept trying to change directions but I wouldn't let her after the first couple of times). Finally, a nice relaxed walk, into a very nice relaxed trot. Four circles without stopping, and changed direction. Took a break for 10 minutes talking to Anne.
To the left. Started with a very nice walk, into trot. Four off the floor, giant kicks and bucks. Some rearing, but not as much. I laughed, she looked like she was having great fun, as none of this was done with her in a panic. Very quickly she was able to trot the circle, VERY nicely. Round and forward. Four circles, stopped.
Put the materials away with her calmly beside me, no more being pushy. Had some grass. Put her in her paddock while I helped Kelley. Thinking, "I'll never get a halter back on her to groom and blanket her". But she calmly let me catch and bring her in. So our relationship was good!
When I did put her out again she gave me the Arabian neck FU, probably because I hadn't let her graze again.
What a wonderfully interesting day! Wonder what horse will show up next time?????
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