A brief overview of playing with all four horses today!!
Feb 2
Silver
On-line (12' for most, 22' for the last game)
7 Games - breezed through, including side-pass towards me (still picking that one up somewhat).
Figure-8 (improvised: no barrels/cones/etc, L1) - he wasn't quite sure what I was asking; his circles around snow patches were actually turns on the hind haha, but he performed the pattern perfectly several times first shot!
Circles #6 (L2) - he figures a raised stick means changed direction rather than slow, so I'll have to keep working at communicating to him otherwise. His direction changes are perfect though!
Circles #7 (L2) - no problemo, as we have done this one before.
Circles #15 (trot/22'/L3) - kept checking in on me ("what do you want from me, woman!") but held a continuous trot spiraling in and out by the end
Koolaid
On-line (12' for most, 22' for the last game)
7 Games - Koolaid was actually lighter than Silver at his 7 games! Silver was phase 1/2 but Koolaid was (except for turn on the hind) phase 1, brushing hair!
Figure-8 (improvised/L1)- same as Silver...apparently neither horse really knew which snow patch I was referring to lol....still performed perfect drive/draw/pattern though!
Circles #6 (L2) - same as Silver
Circles #7 (L2) - aaand, same as Silver!
Circles #15 (trot/22'/L3) - wasn't quite sure what I wanted and so kept checking in on me, but I he seemed to understand the request by the end.
Sonny
On-line (12' lead)
7 Games - entirely phase 1 or 2
Touch-It (L1) - it was hard work touching that horse-eating tarp, but we did it! Figure-8 (L1) - stayed very left-brained throughout several cycles of the pattern!
Figure-8 (L1) - performed it perfectly multiple times from either side!!
Weave (walk/L2) - very cool and collected
Circles # 6 (L2) - no changes in direction, but we practised slowing from trot to walk, which he did well!
Circles #7 (L2) - maintained a trot very nicely!
Obstacles - We walked over that same tarp (roughly 25' long), trotted over it, and even managed to quietly back onto it and down all those 25'!
Overall Sonny did amazing! He remained left-brained 100 percent of the time and performed all his patterns while very in tune with me. At the end I threw him on the 22' and asked him to maintain a canter until I asked him to disengage - all he did with ease, even at the longer distance!
After our session together, I turned Sonny loose to meander about while I played with Link. What was hilarious was that three people entered the arena, startling Sonny. Sonny jumps up and races over to stand behind me to watch the newcomers with bugged-out eyes. As the people prepare to enter the arena though, he dances over to greet the (horse-less) newcomers...after they pass his "non-horse-eating" test, of course.
"Is this horse hot?" one of them asks. "He looks hot!" Of course it was said in that negative, must-be-a-Thoroughbred tones of voices.
"No, not really..." I reply, confused at what was the point of what she was asking. He naturally has a lot of energy and of course he's a RBE, but at the time, though excited, he was very calm and left-brained.
Apparently she thought Sonny was going to run them over. I tied him up anyways of course so that he'd stay out of their way, but Sonny's the last horse you have to worry about running you over!
Link
On-line (12' lead)
7 Games - we breezed through them quickly and without really working too much on driving or porcupining those hindquarters. He did well though, moving his front end around nicely with just body language and no stick to extend my arm. Sonny joined us at the Yo-Yo game, backing as nicely as Link, and at liberty! (this was prior to the other people on foot entering the arena, of course)
Touch-It - well, being left-brained, it is sort of difficult to find things that intimidate Link! I think the tarp intrigued him more than it did scare him (as usual, haha.
Figure-8 (L1) - remained left-brained 90% of the time...only had to dodge a couple of times when I thought he'd kick, but he never did. A couple of times he took off on me so I just worked quietly with him and he instantly calmed down so that we could continue again, even when Sonny kept annoying him (I had turned him loose after our session) and when others joined us us in the arena (on foot measuring barrel patterns) afterwards!
Weave (walk/L2) - did very well!
Circles #6 (L2) - same as Sonny, no changes in direction, though we did do some w/t transitions! Link slowed down to a walk easily, despite being that GOGOGO horse he is!
Obstacles - Link walked all over that tarp, the loose Sonny following close behind. Afterwards I threw the tarp over him and had him carry it a few steps (which meant also dragging it), which he did so, completely laid back.
The last three games Link and I played with people walking all over the arena, and although he was distracted at times, he continued to remain calm. I also noticed during some of the games that his right side is definitely his harder side, the side he tends to stiffen up and block me out on. Overall though he still did extremely well!! I never threw him on the 22' as I felt he was not quite ready for it - maybe next time!
At the end of Link and Sonny's session, I turned the two horses loose while I cleaned up. Link was content to follow me about (and roll) but Sonny was intent on forcing Link to play. The next 15 minutes or so both horses burst around the arena, Sonny kicking up his heels, bucking, and enticing Link to play. Later I came in to pick them up and Sonny bolted up to me, steering clear at the last second and turning back around to see me, Link close on his heels.
A great session!! Link walked away when I first went out to bring him in, but this time not as far and he turned around and walked a few steps up to me when I ignored him to halter Sonny. I was really really happy with how Link was working so well in partnership with me today!! At the end of our session he rolled multiple times (always a good sign he is relaxed) and even followed me about for a bit (at least until Sonny stole him from me for play lol). A few times I was nervous he would try to kick, particularly when he had right-brain moments where he was quick with his hinds and reactive, but he worked extremely well with me!!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
The trials and tribulations of working with horses
Actually, to tell the truth, it's mostly just trials right now!! I do not get as much time in with my higher level horses, Koolaid and Silver, due to my schedule (which has recently opened up more though thankfully) and due to their location (outdoors, no indoor facility). I know I am a wuss but I hate the cold, particularly since frostbite and I have been very well acquainted in prior life. Silver and Koolaid offer many more tribulations than trials, but any new horse (particularly Link and Sonny) always presents those damn trials! I suppose that is what helps us grow though, so although I may gumble, I'll roll with the flow.
Feb 1
Today I tromped out to the barn (Link and Sonny) with the goal of doing a little groundwork with Link. I say a little, and only groundwork, because a) after our last session I felt Link needed more groundwork before getting back into the riding (though obviously depending upon how well our session went) and also because b) I wanted to get back in time to watch the Superbowl (lmao)! I would like Link (and preferably Sonny, if possible) on regular schedules though to prove my consistency to them and to earn their partnerships.
Note: keep in mind Link is a high-energy, highly reactive horse. We've experienced a lot of success in the past however he remains the most challenging horse I have worked with to date, just because he is so prone to reactivity and thus meltdowns. Under-saddle, if he has a meltdown, he is downright dangerous. Mostly our work thus far has been very basic, so we have something to build off of. I have to develop the basics first prior to asking for more - if I ask for too much too soon, he will blow. He is a very fabulous horse with a great mind.... but has a lot of past experience that has created a lot of reactivity in him, so it's patience patience patience! Recently he's presented a lot more energy as spring rolls around, increasing the challenge.
Of course, being a Sunday, there were other riders at the barn however no-one commented on Link's being an off-track Thoroughbred, so, of course, Link was in a spectacular mood. At least at first! I was a little disappointed though when he did not walk up to me as he usually does out in his pasture. I actually had to walk up and get him as he slunk away this time. Obviously we need more work on that partnership!! We whipped through our 7 games with my not asking much of him but a simple brush-up. I noticed though that porcupining and driving his hindquarters he let me know, via some intense tail-swishing, that he was not pleased with having to do as I asked. The same followed for asking him to go sideways - he did it with ease, but not without some irritated comments in my direction. All in all though I was very impressed. When I asked him to slow (trot to walk) at the Circling Game, he did so almost instantly, though on a smaller circle (say 16' diameter). Also, when I drove his front end around he remained cool and collected as he gave me a nice turn on the haunches. Next we also did some Touch-It with some standards temporarily left in the arena and we also did some Figure-8 pattern on the barrels. He was increasingly nervous and anxious passing by me with me on his right side (his off side) however and at the end when I asked him to halt by disengaging his hindquarters after one of the barrels, he promptly shot past me and gave me a solid kick to my left calf. Ouch! Not a trustworthy partner yet, obviously! He did it with a sort of fearful-defensive mentality of "I'll get you before you get me!" He certainly expected punishment however I ignored his response and quietly worked with him for the next several minutes, just to end our session on a good note. After the kick though he responded quite right-brained (ie. tearing around circles, etc) and also kept displaying signs of frustration towards me (ie. striking the air - albeit far away from me - with his forelegs and such). I felt it was vital to ignore him, remain quiet as possible, and to continue on as usual to prove to him that I was going to be consistently and passively persistent rather than aggressive towards him. Leading him back to his pasture afterwards, he was quite reactive as well. Consistency consistency consistency!!! I really need to continue to show him that I won't be fazed by him and that I will always be consistent, no matter what. Part of the right-brained reaction afterwards, I feel, is because he was convinced I was going to respond towards his kick as most others have - aggressively. Instead I ignored him and pretended it had not occured (though my calf sure knew it had!! lol). This is the tough part of working with a LBE with right-brain tendencies - breaking through those barriers and earning that respect and trust. You can never demand the respect or else you risk a rebellious response, and you have to be careful of that reactivity. If instead you focus on earning that respect, you can usually break through those barriers to a great partnership!! Headed out there Feb 2 as well, so we'll see if anything from today's session has sunk in yet.
First time I have ever been kicked by one of my own horses (despite over 20 years with horses), but I suppose there is a first for everything!
On anther note, I am likely to start working with Formiss once again (Check back to Nov 2008's blog Journal of Formiss for my work with the 5yo Dutch WB x QH palomino filly) by the beginning of March.
I will also likely take on a few other horses for training this year (mostly Quarter Horses). It will be so refreshing to work with some clean slates!! It's tough (though certainly rewarding) undoing someone else's work, such as in the case of Link and Sonny, before being able to establish your own foundation on a horse. It's nice to just be able to simply start fresh and just start building up right away. Also, I find Quarter Horses so much easier to work with than say your higher-energy Thoroughbreds and opinionated Warmbloods. The latter are certainly my favourites and I love the challenge of working with such horses, but it's just nice to be permitted to relax once in awhile!!
Feb 1
Today I tromped out to the barn (Link and Sonny) with the goal of doing a little groundwork with Link. I say a little, and only groundwork, because a) after our last session I felt Link needed more groundwork before getting back into the riding (though obviously depending upon how well our session went) and also because b) I wanted to get back in time to watch the Superbowl (lmao)! I would like Link (and preferably Sonny, if possible) on regular schedules though to prove my consistency to them and to earn their partnerships.
Note: keep in mind Link is a high-energy, highly reactive horse. We've experienced a lot of success in the past however he remains the most challenging horse I have worked with to date, just because he is so prone to reactivity and thus meltdowns. Under-saddle, if he has a meltdown, he is downright dangerous. Mostly our work thus far has been very basic, so we have something to build off of. I have to develop the basics first prior to asking for more - if I ask for too much too soon, he will blow. He is a very fabulous horse with a great mind.... but has a lot of past experience that has created a lot of reactivity in him, so it's patience patience patience! Recently he's presented a lot more energy as spring rolls around, increasing the challenge.
Of course, being a Sunday, there were other riders at the barn however no-one commented on Link's being an off-track Thoroughbred, so, of course, Link was in a spectacular mood. At least at first! I was a little disappointed though when he did not walk up to me as he usually does out in his pasture. I actually had to walk up and get him as he slunk away this time. Obviously we need more work on that partnership!! We whipped through our 7 games with my not asking much of him but a simple brush-up. I noticed though that porcupining and driving his hindquarters he let me know, via some intense tail-swishing, that he was not pleased with having to do as I asked. The same followed for asking him to go sideways - he did it with ease, but not without some irritated comments in my direction. All in all though I was very impressed. When I asked him to slow (trot to walk) at the Circling Game, he did so almost instantly, though on a smaller circle (say 16' diameter). Also, when I drove his front end around he remained cool and collected as he gave me a nice turn on the haunches. Next we also did some Touch-It with some standards temporarily left in the arena and we also did some Figure-8 pattern on the barrels. He was increasingly nervous and anxious passing by me with me on his right side (his off side) however and at the end when I asked him to halt by disengaging his hindquarters after one of the barrels, he promptly shot past me and gave me a solid kick to my left calf. Ouch! Not a trustworthy partner yet, obviously! He did it with a sort of fearful-defensive mentality of "I'll get you before you get me!" He certainly expected punishment however I ignored his response and quietly worked with him for the next several minutes, just to end our session on a good note. After the kick though he responded quite right-brained (ie. tearing around circles, etc) and also kept displaying signs of frustration towards me (ie. striking the air - albeit far away from me - with his forelegs and such). I felt it was vital to ignore him, remain quiet as possible, and to continue on as usual to prove to him that I was going to be consistently and passively persistent rather than aggressive towards him. Leading him back to his pasture afterwards, he was quite reactive as well. Consistency consistency consistency!!! I really need to continue to show him that I won't be fazed by him and that I will always be consistent, no matter what. Part of the right-brained reaction afterwards, I feel, is because he was convinced I was going to respond towards his kick as most others have - aggressively. Instead I ignored him and pretended it had not occured (though my calf sure knew it had!! lol). This is the tough part of working with a LBE with right-brain tendencies - breaking through those barriers and earning that respect and trust. You can never demand the respect or else you risk a rebellious response, and you have to be careful of that reactivity. If instead you focus on earning that respect, you can usually break through those barriers to a great partnership!! Headed out there Feb 2 as well, so we'll see if anything from today's session has sunk in yet.
First time I have ever been kicked by one of my own horses (despite over 20 years with horses), but I suppose there is a first for everything!
On anther note, I am likely to start working with Formiss once again (Check back to Nov 2008's blog Journal of Formiss for my work with the 5yo Dutch WB x QH palomino filly) by the beginning of March.
I will also likely take on a few other horses for training this year (mostly Quarter Horses). It will be so refreshing to work with some clean slates!! It's tough (though certainly rewarding) undoing someone else's work, such as in the case of Link and Sonny, before being able to establish your own foundation on a horse. It's nice to just be able to simply start fresh and just start building up right away. Also, I find Quarter Horses so much easier to work with than say your higher-energy Thoroughbreds and opinionated Warmbloods. The latter are certainly my favourites and I love the challenge of working with such horses, but it's just nice to be permitted to relax once in awhile!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
What is it about people sometimes??
I've been so busy finishing off my EMT program that I've had very little time to spend with the horses, unfortunately. Another week though and I should be able to get them all on a regular and consistent schedule. I hope!
Just a quick note in regards to Link's and my playdate last night (quick because I hear the dog moaning and groaning for me to turn off the light...haha).
Jan 28
I sent Link through the arena door before me, following through after him to find a boarder ponying a foal off her chestnut mare. Aly (my pup) lurked around, wagging her tail enthusiastically at the boarder's husband (I presume he was her husband, anyways). I tied Link off, removed his blanket, and ran out to grab my things from my car. I don't know if I previously mentioned it, but I've been blanketing Link, though I never have blanketed any of my other horses, simply for his musculoskeletal issues. I know how my back feels in this cold when it's in bad shape, so I am trying to keep his muscles warm and cozy while his back heals. In addition, I wanted to keep him warmer to allow him a greater weight gain, which it has tremendously! But back to the scenario. As I am laying down my things, guy comes over and asks me:
"This your barrel horse?" I look over at my 16.2hh+ Thoroughbred. I am not particularly fond of barrel racing anyways (because it is more often done 'wrong') - my Quarab, my only real western horse now, is my cow pony rather than a barrel horse.
"Uh, no, this is one of my Thoroughbreds off the track."
"Oh!" The man's eyebrows shoot up as he glances over at Link. Link, I swear, has got this thing going on. Whenever we're alone or no one cares how he does, we typically do fabulous together, though lately he has been challenging me a bit as the spring freshness sets in. However whenever someone is evaluating him, looking for that "psycho off-track TB", he tends to give it to them (in their eyes, anyways)! Lol.
Take a few weeks ago, for example. Another lady was in there with her horse, her boyfriend spectating. I think I have already mentioned this scenario in a previous post, but just as a brief reminder... She comments on how wired Link must be, being off the track, but I reply that actually, he's a fantastic horse (surprise surprise, who would have thought!!). Of course though THAT was the day his horsenality went from LBE to RBE. Constantly. Everything was out to get him. When the woman had her horse kneel and lay down, Link just couldn't believe his eyes. He stood, staring, eyes bugging out of his head, prepared to bolt away. Sure enough, as the lady's horse inadvertently tossed a clump of dirt his way, he dashed back behind me as quick as he could manage. Then, as his own tossed dirt hit the wall, he had to dart away from that too, lest the dirt monster come tearing after him. All I can do is roll my eyes. Of course Link played very nicely into this woman's pre-conceived notions about him.
So anyways. Of course, Link's eyes are bulging out of his head again as he eyes up this mare's foal (I'm not sure what it is about mini's and foals, but he loves them and always greets them as though they were his long-lost friends). Excited, he starts prancing a bit and pacing back and forth as long as his rope will allow, really not even pausing long enough for me to groom him. I sigh and toss my brushes back into their place, untying him and leading him into the arena as the other couple leaves.
Before the man leaves though, he asks me, "so how's he coming along?" He's got this doubtful expression on his face, as if he is already expecting a "oh, he's a terrible monster, this horse!" from me. Sure, Link is a challenge, but what great horse isn't??
I smile and say, "oh, he's coming along great!!"
His eyes wander back over to the pacing Link, his eyebrows raised, before walking off.
What is it with people? This is one thing that really bugs me, because these individuals are already walking up to a horse with pre-conceived notions. Then, whatever they see from that horse, they tend to throw into that "box" they've already created for said horse. The horse doesn't even get a chance!! If I had been riding Link at liberty, it still wouldn't have mattered, they would have looked for one "wrong" (wrong, in their minds) step and said "oh, well he's an off-track Thoroughbred, so what can you expect!" For goodness sake, we make horses the way they are! Yes, breeds such as (for example) Arabians and Thoroughbreds can present a challenge, but think of all the growth in your savvy they allow! Just because not everyone can work with a challenging horse does not diminish that horse, at least not in my eyes. To me, those are usually the horses that have the greatest talent yet to be tapped and they usually make for amazing partners! It's never the horse.
As for Link's and my session of play, it consisted only of groundwork as a) I did not feel it would have been wise to ask him for so much concentration under-saddle when he was having so much trouble focusing on the ground, and b) I had very little time. We played a bit of Touch-It as well as Figure-8 Level 1. We also did a bit of Level 2, keeping in mind though that we haven't completed enough of the Level 1 patterns (so it was more of a trial to see where we were). A few more times will set us up much better for Level 2. Our Level 2 Figure-8 (on the 22' line) was quite rough and so I returned to the 12' lead and did the patterns. By the end, Link flew through his 7 games quite well (for the most part) as well as the Figure-8, Weave, and transitions (w/t) on the 12'. He did have quite the tendency to revert to RBE but I think that a consistent schedule will really help me cement a more solid partnership with him, which will eventually eliminate that RBE-ness that keeps popping up! He still tends to run through my requests sometimes, at times running right through my carrot stick. Just keeping it in mind though and we'll keep slaving away - gradually it will come together with a lot of patience. I really have to remember with him to stay extremely quiet in my body language!! He reads my slightest movement and there are always a couple of instances where he misunderstands me because I was trying to pre-empt him and set him up for success lol (such as in the Figure-8 pattern). Usually we start off each session with a quick review of the 7 games but I have decided to back off of the games even moreso and concentrated more on the patterns. I feel that I focus too much on his hindquarters (because that is an area where he tends to challenge me at) say for example in the Porcupine Game. He knows it well and what I think is happening is that I am confronting him and so he is challenging me back and therefore I am getting the reactions that I am. A Q&A in the latest Parelli email newsletter cued me in to this possibility and it just sort of clicked into place and made sense with his reactions. So instead I will accept a little less in some areas (such as perhaps only asking once at the Porcupine at his HQ so that I get my Phase 1 - it is usually only by the second "ask" where he starts to challenge me and so I continue, and he escalates, and so on) while working harder in other areas. We'll see how this goes!! A couple of times I think I inadvertently confronted him (in lieu of earning his respect) and so he reacted adversely...a little driving game backwards at those moments really made a difference. I think the key will really be these patterns, as they really really do keep him interested and start him thinking. Once he gets into the patterns he really just relaxes! He is such a challenging horse though, as he is forcing me to be extremely fair and to really earn his respect (rather than demand it). I am learning more and more that this horse is not a horse that likes to be told what to do! Do so and he responds with kicks and/or striking forelegs (and I am sure much worse if you were to really challenge him). So he is really really forcing me to earn that partnership rather than demand it. It's great, but definitely a huge learning curve for me!
I was a bit disappointed that Link wasn't working with me as a partner as he has in previous sessions (rather than follow me around afterwards, he vigorously paced the fenceline), but I still feel we made quite a bit of progress within the session and hope to make more over time! I have ridden him at liberty a couple of times now, so I'd like to get him back up to that level of partnership. I think even more of a foundation is needed though at the moment. Any time we have done liberty it has been at times when he was so focused on me and very cued in to our partnership...but a more solid foundation will increase the frequency of those instances and also create them easier. So we'll keep it up, hopefully on a more consistent basis soon!!
Adiosa.
Just a quick note in regards to Link's and my playdate last night (quick because I hear the dog moaning and groaning for me to turn off the light...haha).
Jan 28
I sent Link through the arena door before me, following through after him to find a boarder ponying a foal off her chestnut mare. Aly (my pup) lurked around, wagging her tail enthusiastically at the boarder's husband (I presume he was her husband, anyways). I tied Link off, removed his blanket, and ran out to grab my things from my car. I don't know if I previously mentioned it, but I've been blanketing Link, though I never have blanketed any of my other horses, simply for his musculoskeletal issues. I know how my back feels in this cold when it's in bad shape, so I am trying to keep his muscles warm and cozy while his back heals. In addition, I wanted to keep him warmer to allow him a greater weight gain, which it has tremendously! But back to the scenario. As I am laying down my things, guy comes over and asks me:
"This your barrel horse?" I look over at my 16.2hh+ Thoroughbred. I am not particularly fond of barrel racing anyways (because it is more often done 'wrong') - my Quarab, my only real western horse now, is my cow pony rather than a barrel horse.
"Uh, no, this is one of my Thoroughbreds off the track."
"Oh!" The man's eyebrows shoot up as he glances over at Link. Link, I swear, has got this thing going on. Whenever we're alone or no one cares how he does, we typically do fabulous together, though lately he has been challenging me a bit as the spring freshness sets in. However whenever someone is evaluating him, looking for that "psycho off-track TB", he tends to give it to them (in their eyes, anyways)! Lol.
Take a few weeks ago, for example. Another lady was in there with her horse, her boyfriend spectating. I think I have already mentioned this scenario in a previous post, but just as a brief reminder... She comments on how wired Link must be, being off the track, but I reply that actually, he's a fantastic horse (surprise surprise, who would have thought!!). Of course though THAT was the day his horsenality went from LBE to RBE. Constantly. Everything was out to get him. When the woman had her horse kneel and lay down, Link just couldn't believe his eyes. He stood, staring, eyes bugging out of his head, prepared to bolt away. Sure enough, as the lady's horse inadvertently tossed a clump of dirt his way, he dashed back behind me as quick as he could manage. Then, as his own tossed dirt hit the wall, he had to dart away from that too, lest the dirt monster come tearing after him. All I can do is roll my eyes. Of course Link played very nicely into this woman's pre-conceived notions about him.
So anyways. Of course, Link's eyes are bulging out of his head again as he eyes up this mare's foal (I'm not sure what it is about mini's and foals, but he loves them and always greets them as though they were his long-lost friends). Excited, he starts prancing a bit and pacing back and forth as long as his rope will allow, really not even pausing long enough for me to groom him. I sigh and toss my brushes back into their place, untying him and leading him into the arena as the other couple leaves.
Before the man leaves though, he asks me, "so how's he coming along?" He's got this doubtful expression on his face, as if he is already expecting a "oh, he's a terrible monster, this horse!" from me. Sure, Link is a challenge, but what great horse isn't??
I smile and say, "oh, he's coming along great!!"
His eyes wander back over to the pacing Link, his eyebrows raised, before walking off.
What is it with people? This is one thing that really bugs me, because these individuals are already walking up to a horse with pre-conceived notions. Then, whatever they see from that horse, they tend to throw into that "box" they've already created for said horse. The horse doesn't even get a chance!! If I had been riding Link at liberty, it still wouldn't have mattered, they would have looked for one "wrong" (wrong, in their minds) step and said "oh, well he's an off-track Thoroughbred, so what can you expect!" For goodness sake, we make horses the way they are! Yes, breeds such as (for example) Arabians and Thoroughbreds can present a challenge, but think of all the growth in your savvy they allow! Just because not everyone can work with a challenging horse does not diminish that horse, at least not in my eyes. To me, those are usually the horses that have the greatest talent yet to be tapped and they usually make for amazing partners! It's never the horse.
As for Link's and my session of play, it consisted only of groundwork as a) I did not feel it would have been wise to ask him for so much concentration under-saddle when he was having so much trouble focusing on the ground, and b) I had very little time. We played a bit of Touch-It as well as Figure-8 Level 1. We also did a bit of Level 2, keeping in mind though that we haven't completed enough of the Level 1 patterns (so it was more of a trial to see where we were). A few more times will set us up much better for Level 2. Our Level 2 Figure-8 (on the 22' line) was quite rough and so I returned to the 12' lead and did the patterns. By the end, Link flew through his 7 games quite well (for the most part) as well as the Figure-8, Weave, and transitions (w/t) on the 12'. He did have quite the tendency to revert to RBE but I think that a consistent schedule will really help me cement a more solid partnership with him, which will eventually eliminate that RBE-ness that keeps popping up! He still tends to run through my requests sometimes, at times running right through my carrot stick. Just keeping it in mind though and we'll keep slaving away - gradually it will come together with a lot of patience. I really have to remember with him to stay extremely quiet in my body language!! He reads my slightest movement and there are always a couple of instances where he misunderstands me because I was trying to pre-empt him and set him up for success lol (such as in the Figure-8 pattern). Usually we start off each session with a quick review of the 7 games but I have decided to back off of the games even moreso and concentrated more on the patterns. I feel that I focus too much on his hindquarters (because that is an area where he tends to challenge me at) say for example in the Porcupine Game. He knows it well and what I think is happening is that I am confronting him and so he is challenging me back and therefore I am getting the reactions that I am. A Q&A in the latest Parelli email newsletter cued me in to this possibility and it just sort of clicked into place and made sense with his reactions. So instead I will accept a little less in some areas (such as perhaps only asking once at the Porcupine at his HQ so that I get my Phase 1 - it is usually only by the second "ask" where he starts to challenge me and so I continue, and he escalates, and so on) while working harder in other areas. We'll see how this goes!! A couple of times I think I inadvertently confronted him (in lieu of earning his respect) and so he reacted adversely...a little driving game backwards at those moments really made a difference. I think the key will really be these patterns, as they really really do keep him interested and start him thinking. Once he gets into the patterns he really just relaxes! He is such a challenging horse though, as he is forcing me to be extremely fair and to really earn his respect (rather than demand it). I am learning more and more that this horse is not a horse that likes to be told what to do! Do so and he responds with kicks and/or striking forelegs (and I am sure much worse if you were to really challenge him). So he is really really forcing me to earn that partnership rather than demand it. It's great, but definitely a huge learning curve for me!
I was a bit disappointed that Link wasn't working with me as a partner as he has in previous sessions (rather than follow me around afterwards, he vigorously paced the fenceline), but I still feel we made quite a bit of progress within the session and hope to make more over time! I have ridden him at liberty a couple of times now, so I'd like to get him back up to that level of partnership. I think even more of a foundation is needed though at the moment. Any time we have done liberty it has been at times when he was so focused on me and very cued in to our partnership...but a more solid foundation will increase the frequency of those instances and also create them easier. So we'll keep it up, hopefully on a more consistent basis soon!!
Adiosa.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Equines Jan 18 2009
Jan 11
Link
Played the 7 games with Link as well as the barrel pattern from the patterns program. Little Gerbil-On-Crack though was a little hyped up and very GoGoGo-I-Must-Move-My-Feet!! Under-saddle we worked on some transitions, back-up, and the figure-eight barrel pattern, during which I felt at times I was working with his ghost - half of his mind was focused on me while the other half was off in LaLa land. Finally I gave up trying to keep his toddler-like mind focused and turned him loose. He promptly itched his back via a good roll in the dirt (making sure of course to make one side as dirty as the other) before taking off, full-tilt, around the arena. I cleaned up, put away barrels, and twiddled my thumbs as he ran circles, without stop, at a full-out gallop for a good solid 15-20 minutes!! Finally he huffed and puffed to a halt in front of me, after which I had to cool him out. I found it somewhat amusing, as well as ironic, that I had to cool him out from his "cool-down", or "max and relax period" when I had not had to do so after our playtime earlier. So my theory as to his as-of-late lack of ability to concentrate and desperate need to move his feet at all times is this: we are right about close to spring training time, where last year as well as the two years prior to that (three years total) he would be headed to the track to train. Also, the same way the Parelli patterns instill confidence and a cemented foundation, the track also instills patterns - in the case of the track, to gallop around a track the same way each day (thus, a pattern). So my theory is that, just as he reverts to right-brain and moving his feet at times when he is unconfident, he is possibly reverting to his old cemented track patterns (ie. track gallops) because he figures he should be starting spring training around this time?? Food for thought...
Jan 18
Visited and played with Silver and Koolaid today, though the wind was howling so strong that it was only 5 minutes before my ears were sore and cold despite the 14C weather!! It was fabulous to see both horses though - I wish I could play with them more regularly!
Koolaid
I started out with the Circling Game to cement our level of respect before going back through the rest of the games. He was very very light (phase 1 or 2) through all 7 games!!! I had actually expected some initial resistance just because he usually throws me a challenge or two to see if I can still earn his respect, but he never challenged my leadership once! Throwing my arm over his back I actually had the intention of driving him forwards however he interpreted my communication otherwise; when I first waved my stick at his hind, he actually pivoted his hind towards me (thus away from the stick)!! I was impressed and so asked his shoulder to move over towards me, to see what I would get: he promptly sidepassed several steps towards me!! I find I am constantly astonished at how much horses retain and figure out; once you teach them to start reasoning and thinking things through it is amazing what can happen!! I've worked hard to build some solid foundations on these two horses and while we still have so much to uncover and play with, that foundation is obviously still holding true and allowing us to communicate in ways I had thought were not yet possible!! Koolaid in particular surprised me as he has always been the most challenging of the two and I had not thought him advanced enough to understand and interpret my request today, which was why I had not actually asked for a sidestep, just a simple forwards motion. Wow though! I cannot wait to play with him some more so that we can continue learning from and challenging one another!!! While Silver is certainly no slouch (and, thanks to Parelli, now thinks most everything through rather than blindly reacting), Koolaid is a Left-Brain-Introvert and so naturally thinks rather than reacts, which certainly causes him to better utilize his intelligence (of sorts) and figure things out quicker than his Right-Brain-Extrovert brother.
Silver
His GoGoGo I-Was-A-Racehorse-In-My-Previous-Life self but very responsive and light (phase 1 or two) throughout all 7 games! We whipped through our seven games, including some transitions and change in direction (at the trot and at the canter). I also threw my arm over his back and directed his movement from the opposite side using my carrot stick, having him sidepass but towards me (and thus away from the stick). It was a little rough but I think he got the idea, so we can work on refining and building on it next time!!
Afterwards I trucked out to play with our newest two boys, Sonny and Link. Right now our main focus is on advancing through the Freestyle (under-saddle - eventually escalates to liberty riding) and On-Line (on the 12', 22', and 45' lines - eventually allows for an escalation to liberty work through the Liberty patterns) patterns through the new Parelli patterns program. Each patterns quadrant (ie. On-Line and Freestyle - there are four total: Freestyle, Finess, On-Line, and Liberty) consists of 4 Levels which each consist of various patterns. Level 1 On-Line (12' lead) consists of Touch-It and Figure-8, Level 2 (12'/22' leads) is Touch-It, Figure-8, Weave, Circles (pattern #6), Circles (pattern #7), Trailer, Push a Ball, and Obstacles. Level 1 Freestyle (hackamore, casual rein) is Follow the Rail and Figure-8 and Level 2 (hackamore/bit, carrot stick) is Follow the Rail, Figure 8, Weave, etc...
Sonny
Last I worked with Sonny I had a lot of trouble keeping him focused and left-brained but today the Right-Brain-Extrovert was extremely sensitive yet focused!! I initially started with him as, when I entered the arena, the main door was wide open to the dark evening (and all its accompanying distractions) and another boarder was working his Paso Fino in the arena. I tied Sonny to remove Link's blanket, but something startled Sonny, causing him to pull back. I quickly calmed him down but felt that although he had given in to the pressure of the rope, by leaving him and working with Link first, I would be leaving Sonny in a negative emotional state - one whereby he'd be likely to pull back again. So I gave each horse a quick brush-over before toting Sonny into the arena.
7 Games
Each session we still do a quick run-through of our games, though I try to keep it short and sweet so as to prevent souring on the games. Our goal is to improve them a bit each time without really focusing on them too much so. Thus we re-cement our games, and thus our primary foundation, before we advance and build upon that same foundation. It also allows me to see what side of the pasture the horse woke up on as well as gain the horse's focus.
Friendly Game we ensured the "rope" boogeymen were vanquished and also worked on diminishing some of our carrot-stick-circling-like-a-helicopter-over-my-head mortal fears.
Porcupine was quite light, though we are focusing on making it even lighter (some days it is Phase 1 while other days - presumably when Sonny is bored and in a calm, left-brain emotional state, we are Phase 3). I expanded this game a bit by wrapping him in his lead rope and asking him to follow the feel and thus unravel himself - he thought his way through the puzzle very calmly!
Driving Game was quite short and sweet with focus on a little refinement of HQ and FQ movement. I also threw in a backwards driving game: I moved the stick in a circular motion at his shoulder-level while standing behind his shoulder. I had been prepared to "help" him by yo-yo'ing him back with the lead at the same time however it was not necessary, as he instantly picked up the new game and moved back with ease!
Yo-Yo was Phase 1 and 2, though I played with it a bit, moving forwards on him (while asking him to back) to get a longer back-up and backing up to obtain a longer draw (ie. when he was coming back in to me).
Circling we did w/t/c and then also expanded and played more with it in our On-Line session (see: below).
Sideways I asked Sonny to move off sideways without the aid of a wall yet he performed brilliantly, correctly interpreting and putting into action my request immediately.
Squeeze Game I sent Sonny over a set of 3 barrels (laid down) without the aid of a wall. Initially I asked him to simply touch them with his nose before adding some pressure to have him jump them from a standstill. Rather than giving me the lazy jump he usually does (when at the trot), he cleared them cleanly with his fronts, though hitting them with his hinds. Afterwards, rather than run around high on adrenaline in a state reminiscent of a chicken with its head cut off, he jumped the barrels then calmly turned to face at once to ask what my next request would be!! This is still a huge learning experience for him and so I was quite happy with his level of try this time - a major improvement for him, particularly to squeeze in such a calm emotional state.
On-Line (on the ground)
Sonny and I completed both Level 1 and Level 2 and also did some prep work for Level 3.
Touch-It consisted of my having him walk up to and place his nose on a few suspicious (surely horse-eating) objects.
Though a little skeptical at first, he performed the Figure-8 flawlessly and with very little direction on my part (I simply stood by). His confidence visibly soared as he continued around the barrels (both walk - Level 1, and trot - Level 2) calmly while keeping a keen observing eye on my next request.
Next I asked him to Weave through 3 barrels (I'll have to add to that number using cones next time, as I ran out of barrels!) while I trotted along next to him (trot and walk), driving and drawing him through the barrels. As we had just completed the Figure-8, he easily performed this one with very little direction as well, even when I switched directions several times and thus walked on opposite sides of the barrels (something new for him, working the barrels from either side).
We also expanded on our Circling Game with the Circles pattern (#6 in the Level 2 patterns pack), which consisted of a few downwards transitions (trot to walk) as well as some changes in direction at the trot. This was our first attempt at this pattern and so while it was a little rough he did seem to understand it so next step is to establish it as a pattern through playing it a few more times and thus raise his confidence level in the pattern.
The second Circles pattern (#7 in the Level 2 On-Line patterns pack) consisted of my walking a straight line down the arena while Sonny meanwhile kept circling. At first he kept asking if he was supposed to continue circling (at the trot) rather than simply follow me so we kept playing the pattern until he made several consecutive laps in either direction as I continued walking.
The Trailer pattern I expect to play with Sonny when the weather provides the opportunity to easily move (and thus play with) the trailer. I am excited to do so as Sonny is rather skeptical of trailers (I foresee some Touch-It!) and it will also enable me the opportunity to reinforce my attempt at lateral (aka prey animal, rather than straight-line, aka predator) thinking (watch the On-Line Trailer video in the patterns pack).
Push-a-Ball will likely be replaced with my ball-less version: Play-with-a-Tarp (haha), as I am definitely ball-deficient.
Obstacles will be done as obstacles are presented (lol) - including tarps, as I do not currently have an obstacle course available for my use.
Our dabble into Level 3 consisted of some further expansion of the Circling Game, whereby I spiraled Sonny in and out of a circle at the trot. Sonny was definitely initially convinced that a smaller circle meant easier-horse-eating-carrot-stick-prey (despite our initial Friendly Game involving the carrot stick, as by now the carrot stick had been involved in some "suspicious" Driving Game-like circumstances that made it worthy of skepticism it may yet be hungry for equine steak) and he was also of the line of thought that it was not possible for him to circle such a small diameter. After a few successful circles on the smallest circle (successful meaning he continued responsibly at the trot without asking me for further direction) I spiraled him back out before spiraling him back in, then back out and to a halt - in either direction. His carrot stick worries rapidly evaporated and his confidence in the game certainly increased quickly.
Though he was somewhat restless once tied after our session (and made it known through audible movement in addition to both loud cries for help and minute squeals of protestation) Sonny never once tested the tied rope and, by the end of my session with Link, had resigned himself to standing quietly with a hind leg cocked. Progress!!
Link
As in our previous session, I had my hands full maintaining his focus, though my purposely sloth-like slowness seemed to counteract his right-brained GoGoGo emotions and thus balance his mental state somewhat and thus maintain his concentration on the games and patterns.
7 Games
We whipped through our 7 games much the same as with Sonny and with much the same results, though Link was much more high strung and so I had to progress much more calmly so as to pass that calmness on to him through quiet leadership.
Respect is a challenge with Link moreso than with Sonny simply due to the very different horsenalities and that combined with our repetition of the games caused Link to challenge my leadership slightly during the Porcupine Game and particularly when I asked for his HQ to respond. This is where I had to back off a bit and ensure that I was very light and fair. I think too that next time I need to back off and ask very lightly then drive his HQ a bit rather than increase my pressure phases.
Our Driving Game I asked Link, same as with Sonny, to back while I stood at his shoulder. Link got a bit uptight and frazzled and so I had to use a wall to block his movement somewhat and thus set him up to better think through the puzzle. As I maintained consistency and rewarded with a quick release he quieted down and thought his way through to a back-up.
Link's Sideways Game was not quite as crisp as Sunny's however it was done very well, particularly considering his comparatively limited time off the track so far.
Our Squeeze Game I also asked Link to jump the barrels without the use of the wall; he popped over them very easily and though was slightly pumped afterwards, he calmed down quickly from his jumping high. This time I also had him jump one barrel with two standing barrels flanking the one lying down - after a little initial hesitation (but continued forward motion) he popped over nicely.
On-Line (on the ground)
Touch-It is not a high priority for Link simply due to his horsenality - as a LBE he is naturally inquisitive and not as skeptical as say a RBE like Sonny. Actually, whenever I lay out an object such as a tarp, Link usually spends his time attempting to drag me over to said object so that he may play with it himself! We'll continue this game though as we find additional objects to play with (particularly horse-eating objects)!
This was Link's second session with the Figure-8 pattern so we were able to clean it up quite a bit. Previously he would at times run through my request (ie. just run right past my stick) in a right-brained attempt at pushing through pressure and thus evading it. This time he did so twice initially; the second time though he paused in his evasion and so I simply continued to hold my stick still out in front of his path and waited for him to stop, relax, and think through my request (not increasing my phases and thus allowing him the chance to think). As he realised that he had little to be skeptical of carrot-stick-wise, he relaxed and thought through the puzzle I'd presented him with. Pretty quickly he was walking through the pattern with a 9/10 confidence at both the walk and trot and constantly eyeing me for my next move, trying to interpret and follow through with my not-yet-requested next request...which resulted in a few humourous miscommunications on my part.
Next we tackled the Weave (3 barrels as well), which ended much the same as the Figure-8 had, with several successful run-throughs in either direction.
Circles (#6) I found to be more challenging with Link than with Sonny. Sonny had been in a calm and thinking state of mind whereas Link, when I held up my stick for a downward transition, had the tendency to freeze up and react in flight mode with forwards movement. I brought him in to a smaller circle so I could more clearly communicate with him which seemed to help quite a lot (as also did my very deliberately calm and quiet movements). A few more transitions repetitions should help break down his walls of pressure evasion and instead get him more in a thinking pattern. I also had him change direction at the trot as well however it was much the same as the transitions - more playing yet to accomplish!
Circles (#7) was much the same as with Sonny and ended well with several successful laps in either direction as I paced down the middle of the long side of the arena.
Push-a-Ball, Trailer, and Obstacles follows the same for Link as with Sonny. I am looking forward too with working with Link with the trailer as he has not been particularly fond of hauling in the past.
Freestyle (under-saddle)
Initially Link and I did our Cloverleaf Pattern (actually done in Level 3 at the trot) at the walk to re-cement our past work. He moved off my leg very well (most often simply when I turned my body and thus applied a bit of thigh pressure) though I found I had to be exceptionally clear and there was the odd time when he broke rhythm and increased his pace to a trot, I think just because he was carrying a bit of extra emotional/mental energy.
In our Follow the Rail I found Link to follow the rail with ease but he seemed to become a little worried during our transitions. Some transitions (walk-to-trot, trot-to-walk) he responded beautifully while a few others he either was reluctant to pick up the trot or would fall into flight mode once in the trot and thus not transition down. Several other times though he responded into a trot with a simple increase in energy on my part or into a walk with a decrease in energy and relaxation on my part. We also did some 9-step-back-up, which really lightened up after a few repetitions (and very clear and quiet communication from me). Lastly, we did some full turns and simple change in direction using leg aid backed up by both direct and indirect reins (his direct is fabulous so we primarily used indirect). My mind was not completely in the game at this point so it took a few tries before I improved my ask enough for him to improve his turn, which worked out great in the end!
Our Figure-8 was very good (once I focused in on asking him correctly!) though I think some additional work at it will clean it up even more.
Lastly Link and I took a stab at a little carrot stick riding (Level 3) - Figure-8 and Follow the Rail. It was quite rusty and Link tended to fret, turn right-brain, and therefore run through my request rather than think it through. In the end though we did manage to finish with a few good barrel patterns and turns along the rail. I think some continued work on Level 2 to really establish a strong foundation with those patterns will enable us to have more confidence in Level 3 patterns. So...more playing!!
I had actually wanted to ride Link a little at liberty today; we finished off our cloverleaf with 9/10 confidence and calmness however the additional challenges of the new patterns we worked on afterwards ruined our chances at liberty, as Link was a little too right-brained (though still left-brained and calm overall) for it to be a successful attempt. Next time!! This time our patterns, which will provide us a stronger foundation for liberty riding, were more important.
Afterwards I turned the two horses loose for some good rolls in the sand and to play a bit with each other before turning them back out to pasture...just for kicks, when I later caught them up, I thought I'd take a stab at playing the Circling Game with both horses at once...it was actually pretty fun and challenging at the same time, as it was difficult to talk to one horse without accidentally miscommunicating to the other haha. We'll have to make a few more attempts at it ;P
Link
Played the 7 games with Link as well as the barrel pattern from the patterns program. Little Gerbil-On-Crack though was a little hyped up and very GoGoGo-I-Must-Move-My-Feet!! Under-saddle we worked on some transitions, back-up, and the figure-eight barrel pattern, during which I felt at times I was working with his ghost - half of his mind was focused on me while the other half was off in LaLa land. Finally I gave up trying to keep his toddler-like mind focused and turned him loose. He promptly itched his back via a good roll in the dirt (making sure of course to make one side as dirty as the other) before taking off, full-tilt, around the arena. I cleaned up, put away barrels, and twiddled my thumbs as he ran circles, without stop, at a full-out gallop for a good solid 15-20 minutes!! Finally he huffed and puffed to a halt in front of me, after which I had to cool him out. I found it somewhat amusing, as well as ironic, that I had to cool him out from his "cool-down", or "max and relax period" when I had not had to do so after our playtime earlier. So my theory as to his as-of-late lack of ability to concentrate and desperate need to move his feet at all times is this: we are right about close to spring training time, where last year as well as the two years prior to that (three years total) he would be headed to the track to train. Also, the same way the Parelli patterns instill confidence and a cemented foundation, the track also instills patterns - in the case of the track, to gallop around a track the same way each day (thus, a pattern). So my theory is that, just as he reverts to right-brain and moving his feet at times when he is unconfident, he is possibly reverting to his old cemented track patterns (ie. track gallops) because he figures he should be starting spring training around this time?? Food for thought...
Jan 18
Visited and played with Silver and Koolaid today, though the wind was howling so strong that it was only 5 minutes before my ears were sore and cold despite the 14C weather!! It was fabulous to see both horses though - I wish I could play with them more regularly!
Koolaid
I started out with the Circling Game to cement our level of respect before going back through the rest of the games. He was very very light (phase 1 or 2) through all 7 games!!! I had actually expected some initial resistance just because he usually throws me a challenge or two to see if I can still earn his respect, but he never challenged my leadership once! Throwing my arm over his back I actually had the intention of driving him forwards however he interpreted my communication otherwise; when I first waved my stick at his hind, he actually pivoted his hind towards me (thus away from the stick)!! I was impressed and so asked his shoulder to move over towards me, to see what I would get: he promptly sidepassed several steps towards me!! I find I am constantly astonished at how much horses retain and figure out; once you teach them to start reasoning and thinking things through it is amazing what can happen!! I've worked hard to build some solid foundations on these two horses and while we still have so much to uncover and play with, that foundation is obviously still holding true and allowing us to communicate in ways I had thought were not yet possible!! Koolaid in particular surprised me as he has always been the most challenging of the two and I had not thought him advanced enough to understand and interpret my request today, which was why I had not actually asked for a sidestep, just a simple forwards motion. Wow though! I cannot wait to play with him some more so that we can continue learning from and challenging one another!!! While Silver is certainly no slouch (and, thanks to Parelli, now thinks most everything through rather than blindly reacting), Koolaid is a Left-Brain-Introvert and so naturally thinks rather than reacts, which certainly causes him to better utilize his intelligence (of sorts) and figure things out quicker than his Right-Brain-Extrovert brother.
Silver
His GoGoGo I-Was-A-Racehorse-In-My-Previous-Life self but very responsive and light (phase 1 or two) throughout all 7 games! We whipped through our seven games, including some transitions and change in direction (at the trot and at the canter). I also threw my arm over his back and directed his movement from the opposite side using my carrot stick, having him sidepass but towards me (and thus away from the stick). It was a little rough but I think he got the idea, so we can work on refining and building on it next time!!
Afterwards I trucked out to play with our newest two boys, Sonny and Link. Right now our main focus is on advancing through the Freestyle (under-saddle - eventually escalates to liberty riding) and On-Line (on the 12', 22', and 45' lines - eventually allows for an escalation to liberty work through the Liberty patterns) patterns through the new Parelli patterns program. Each patterns quadrant (ie. On-Line and Freestyle - there are four total: Freestyle, Finess, On-Line, and Liberty) consists of 4 Levels which each consist of various patterns. Level 1 On-Line (12' lead) consists of Touch-It and Figure-8, Level 2 (12'/22' leads) is Touch-It, Figure-8, Weave, Circles (pattern #6), Circles (pattern #7), Trailer, Push a Ball, and Obstacles. Level 1 Freestyle (hackamore, casual rein) is Follow the Rail and Figure-8 and Level 2 (hackamore/bit, carrot stick) is Follow the Rail, Figure 8, Weave, etc...
Sonny
Last I worked with Sonny I had a lot of trouble keeping him focused and left-brained but today the Right-Brain-Extrovert was extremely sensitive yet focused!! I initially started with him as, when I entered the arena, the main door was wide open to the dark evening (and all its accompanying distractions) and another boarder was working his Paso Fino in the arena. I tied Sonny to remove Link's blanket, but something startled Sonny, causing him to pull back. I quickly calmed him down but felt that although he had given in to the pressure of the rope, by leaving him and working with Link first, I would be leaving Sonny in a negative emotional state - one whereby he'd be likely to pull back again. So I gave each horse a quick brush-over before toting Sonny into the arena.
7 Games
Each session we still do a quick run-through of our games, though I try to keep it short and sweet so as to prevent souring on the games. Our goal is to improve them a bit each time without really focusing on them too much so. Thus we re-cement our games, and thus our primary foundation, before we advance and build upon that same foundation. It also allows me to see what side of the pasture the horse woke up on as well as gain the horse's focus.
Friendly Game we ensured the "rope" boogeymen were vanquished and also worked on diminishing some of our carrot-stick-circling-like-a-helicopter-over-my-head mortal fears.
Porcupine was quite light, though we are focusing on making it even lighter (some days it is Phase 1 while other days - presumably when Sonny is bored and in a calm, left-brain emotional state, we are Phase 3). I expanded this game a bit by wrapping him in his lead rope and asking him to follow the feel and thus unravel himself - he thought his way through the puzzle very calmly!
Driving Game was quite short and sweet with focus on a little refinement of HQ and FQ movement. I also threw in a backwards driving game: I moved the stick in a circular motion at his shoulder-level while standing behind his shoulder. I had been prepared to "help" him by yo-yo'ing him back with the lead at the same time however it was not necessary, as he instantly picked up the new game and moved back with ease!
Yo-Yo was Phase 1 and 2, though I played with it a bit, moving forwards on him (while asking him to back) to get a longer back-up and backing up to obtain a longer draw (ie. when he was coming back in to me).
Circling we did w/t/c and then also expanded and played more with it in our On-Line session (see: below).
Sideways I asked Sonny to move off sideways without the aid of a wall yet he performed brilliantly, correctly interpreting and putting into action my request immediately.
Squeeze Game I sent Sonny over a set of 3 barrels (laid down) without the aid of a wall. Initially I asked him to simply touch them with his nose before adding some pressure to have him jump them from a standstill. Rather than giving me the lazy jump he usually does (when at the trot), he cleared them cleanly with his fronts, though hitting them with his hinds. Afterwards, rather than run around high on adrenaline in a state reminiscent of a chicken with its head cut off, he jumped the barrels then calmly turned to face at once to ask what my next request would be!! This is still a huge learning experience for him and so I was quite happy with his level of try this time - a major improvement for him, particularly to squeeze in such a calm emotional state.
On-Line (on the ground)
Sonny and I completed both Level 1 and Level 2 and also did some prep work for Level 3.
Touch-It consisted of my having him walk up to and place his nose on a few suspicious (surely horse-eating) objects.
Though a little skeptical at first, he performed the Figure-8 flawlessly and with very little direction on my part (I simply stood by). His confidence visibly soared as he continued around the barrels (both walk - Level 1, and trot - Level 2) calmly while keeping a keen observing eye on my next request.
Next I asked him to Weave through 3 barrels (I'll have to add to that number using cones next time, as I ran out of barrels!) while I trotted along next to him (trot and walk), driving and drawing him through the barrels. As we had just completed the Figure-8, he easily performed this one with very little direction as well, even when I switched directions several times and thus walked on opposite sides of the barrels (something new for him, working the barrels from either side).
We also expanded on our Circling Game with the Circles pattern (#6 in the Level 2 patterns pack), which consisted of a few downwards transitions (trot to walk) as well as some changes in direction at the trot. This was our first attempt at this pattern and so while it was a little rough he did seem to understand it so next step is to establish it as a pattern through playing it a few more times and thus raise his confidence level in the pattern.
The second Circles pattern (#7 in the Level 2 On-Line patterns pack) consisted of my walking a straight line down the arena while Sonny meanwhile kept circling. At first he kept asking if he was supposed to continue circling (at the trot) rather than simply follow me so we kept playing the pattern until he made several consecutive laps in either direction as I continued walking.
The Trailer pattern I expect to play with Sonny when the weather provides the opportunity to easily move (and thus play with) the trailer. I am excited to do so as Sonny is rather skeptical of trailers (I foresee some Touch-It!) and it will also enable me the opportunity to reinforce my attempt at lateral (aka prey animal, rather than straight-line, aka predator) thinking (watch the On-Line Trailer video in the patterns pack).
Push-a-Ball will likely be replaced with my ball-less version: Play-with-a-Tarp (haha), as I am definitely ball-deficient.
Obstacles will be done as obstacles are presented (lol) - including tarps, as I do not currently have an obstacle course available for my use.
Our dabble into Level 3 consisted of some further expansion of the Circling Game, whereby I spiraled Sonny in and out of a circle at the trot. Sonny was definitely initially convinced that a smaller circle meant easier-horse-eating-carrot-stick-prey (despite our initial Friendly Game involving the carrot stick, as by now the carrot stick had been involved in some "suspicious" Driving Game-like circumstances that made it worthy of skepticism it may yet be hungry for equine steak) and he was also of the line of thought that it was not possible for him to circle such a small diameter. After a few successful circles on the smallest circle (successful meaning he continued responsibly at the trot without asking me for further direction) I spiraled him back out before spiraling him back in, then back out and to a halt - in either direction. His carrot stick worries rapidly evaporated and his confidence in the game certainly increased quickly.
Though he was somewhat restless once tied after our session (and made it known through audible movement in addition to both loud cries for help and minute squeals of protestation) Sonny never once tested the tied rope and, by the end of my session with Link, had resigned himself to standing quietly with a hind leg cocked. Progress!!
Link
As in our previous session, I had my hands full maintaining his focus, though my purposely sloth-like slowness seemed to counteract his right-brained GoGoGo emotions and thus balance his mental state somewhat and thus maintain his concentration on the games and patterns.
7 Games
We whipped through our 7 games much the same as with Sonny and with much the same results, though Link was much more high strung and so I had to progress much more calmly so as to pass that calmness on to him through quiet leadership.
Respect is a challenge with Link moreso than with Sonny simply due to the very different horsenalities and that combined with our repetition of the games caused Link to challenge my leadership slightly during the Porcupine Game and particularly when I asked for his HQ to respond. This is where I had to back off a bit and ensure that I was very light and fair. I think too that next time I need to back off and ask very lightly then drive his HQ a bit rather than increase my pressure phases.
Our Driving Game I asked Link, same as with Sonny, to back while I stood at his shoulder. Link got a bit uptight and frazzled and so I had to use a wall to block his movement somewhat and thus set him up to better think through the puzzle. As I maintained consistency and rewarded with a quick release he quieted down and thought his way through to a back-up.
Link's Sideways Game was not quite as crisp as Sunny's however it was done very well, particularly considering his comparatively limited time off the track so far.
Our Squeeze Game I also asked Link to jump the barrels without the use of the wall; he popped over them very easily and though was slightly pumped afterwards, he calmed down quickly from his jumping high. This time I also had him jump one barrel with two standing barrels flanking the one lying down - after a little initial hesitation (but continued forward motion) he popped over nicely.
On-Line (on the ground)
Touch-It is not a high priority for Link simply due to his horsenality - as a LBE he is naturally inquisitive and not as skeptical as say a RBE like Sonny. Actually, whenever I lay out an object such as a tarp, Link usually spends his time attempting to drag me over to said object so that he may play with it himself! We'll continue this game though as we find additional objects to play with (particularly horse-eating objects)!
This was Link's second session with the Figure-8 pattern so we were able to clean it up quite a bit. Previously he would at times run through my request (ie. just run right past my stick) in a right-brained attempt at pushing through pressure and thus evading it. This time he did so twice initially; the second time though he paused in his evasion and so I simply continued to hold my stick still out in front of his path and waited for him to stop, relax, and think through my request (not increasing my phases and thus allowing him the chance to think). As he realised that he had little to be skeptical of carrot-stick-wise, he relaxed and thought through the puzzle I'd presented him with. Pretty quickly he was walking through the pattern with a 9/10 confidence at both the walk and trot and constantly eyeing me for my next move, trying to interpret and follow through with my not-yet-requested next request...which resulted in a few humourous miscommunications on my part.
Next we tackled the Weave (3 barrels as well), which ended much the same as the Figure-8 had, with several successful run-throughs in either direction.
Circles (#6) I found to be more challenging with Link than with Sonny. Sonny had been in a calm and thinking state of mind whereas Link, when I held up my stick for a downward transition, had the tendency to freeze up and react in flight mode with forwards movement. I brought him in to a smaller circle so I could more clearly communicate with him which seemed to help quite a lot (as also did my very deliberately calm and quiet movements). A few more transitions repetitions should help break down his walls of pressure evasion and instead get him more in a thinking pattern. I also had him change direction at the trot as well however it was much the same as the transitions - more playing yet to accomplish!
Circles (#7) was much the same as with Sonny and ended well with several successful laps in either direction as I paced down the middle of the long side of the arena.
Push-a-Ball, Trailer, and Obstacles follows the same for Link as with Sonny. I am looking forward too with working with Link with the trailer as he has not been particularly fond of hauling in the past.
Freestyle (under-saddle)
Initially Link and I did our Cloverleaf Pattern (actually done in Level 3 at the trot) at the walk to re-cement our past work. He moved off my leg very well (most often simply when I turned my body and thus applied a bit of thigh pressure) though I found I had to be exceptionally clear and there was the odd time when he broke rhythm and increased his pace to a trot, I think just because he was carrying a bit of extra emotional/mental energy.
In our Follow the Rail I found Link to follow the rail with ease but he seemed to become a little worried during our transitions. Some transitions (walk-to-trot, trot-to-walk) he responded beautifully while a few others he either was reluctant to pick up the trot or would fall into flight mode once in the trot and thus not transition down. Several other times though he responded into a trot with a simple increase in energy on my part or into a walk with a decrease in energy and relaxation on my part. We also did some 9-step-back-up, which really lightened up after a few repetitions (and very clear and quiet communication from me). Lastly, we did some full turns and simple change in direction using leg aid backed up by both direct and indirect reins (his direct is fabulous so we primarily used indirect). My mind was not completely in the game at this point so it took a few tries before I improved my ask enough for him to improve his turn, which worked out great in the end!
Our Figure-8 was very good (once I focused in on asking him correctly!) though I think some additional work at it will clean it up even more.
Lastly Link and I took a stab at a little carrot stick riding (Level 3) - Figure-8 and Follow the Rail. It was quite rusty and Link tended to fret, turn right-brain, and therefore run through my request rather than think it through. In the end though we did manage to finish with a few good barrel patterns and turns along the rail. I think some continued work on Level 2 to really establish a strong foundation with those patterns will enable us to have more confidence in Level 3 patterns. So...more playing!!
I had actually wanted to ride Link a little at liberty today; we finished off our cloverleaf with 9/10 confidence and calmness however the additional challenges of the new patterns we worked on afterwards ruined our chances at liberty, as Link was a little too right-brained (though still left-brained and calm overall) for it to be a successful attempt. Next time!! This time our patterns, which will provide us a stronger foundation for liberty riding, were more important.
Afterwards I turned the two horses loose for some good rolls in the sand and to play a bit with each other before turning them back out to pasture...just for kicks, when I later caught them up, I thought I'd take a stab at playing the Circling Game with both horses at once...it was actually pretty fun and challenging at the same time, as it was difficult to talk to one horse without accidentally miscommunicating to the other haha. We'll have to make a few more attempts at it ;P
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