Monday, March 30

Lots of dwell time, eating clover etc.

Lots of stroking, extreme friendly--I was surprized to find that I needed to take some time for Try to remember this game--at first she was hesitant and would swing her HQ away. I did not get to helicopter from Zone 5.

sidepass barrels--did at liberty--she will do it but preferred to roll them away with her nose. how interesting.

Jump towards me and back: ok, needed a little slap on the ground with string to cue her to actually jump, back was a little crooked. BUT jumps were relaxed.

45' line circling: walk, trot, downward transitions and disengage HQ all good--breaking gait at the canter--she was very relaxed and laid back and did not want to canter. I was able to recoil as she walked back to me. Need to go back to 22' (even if w/45' line) and get the canter for 6-10 laps.

riding: free style western saddle, posting trot lightly in stirrups w/carrot stick, canter w/ no stick or reins and very relaxed.

Saturday, March 28 Muddy day at the barn!

Well, after 4 days of rain and cold, I finally got to the barn today.

Spent much time grooming, stroking, loving on Try which she seemed to enjoy.

Thought as an online quickie I would review sidepassing 4 barrels in an L shape. First I started close by and we got to 4th barrel and she either panicked or decided she had enough and she jumped out of the pattern. So I went to one barrel and gave a treat. Then lined up two and she did them easily with me farther away and cueing less and even offered to do a third barrel that was nearby.

Finished with no stirrups etc in the VERY muddy ring. Made an inner circle where the footing was a bit better. I have no idea how far we went--not as much as usual I'm sure BUT I felt very strong and in control. (A little sore from it on Sunday.)

Monday, March 23

Tara filmed Try and I: messing around w/cavaletti pole, sidepass, straddle. Jump towards me started, touch it game, circling game to study ear pinning. Amazing how quickly time goes that was nearly 10 minutes of film w/o transitions. The audition will need to be carefully choreographed.

Try was offering lots of stuff to me but not waiting and listening to me.

Also no stirrups--I am not as strong as 2 weeks ago. Canter was relaxed both leads.

Friday, March 20

ONLINE SAVVY DAY

Today we had a lovely day playing. My goal was to be aware of our respective body language, rather than the task and frankly, I was not able to do so to the extent I would like.

We played: touch it with a frisbie, the tarp and the stump. Figure 8 around the cones, Try pins her ears at me, so we did circling and she was still pinning ears. Also did traveling circles and changes of direction (S patterns, falling leaf). Side passed the pole and sidepass at a trot on the rail. yoyo: trotting to me. Stick to me starting at a canter. I didn't film but did not think energy was an issue.

Issues/Questions:
1. do I really need to be concerned about ear pinning? if the ears are only 1/2 way back???
2. what will it take to focus on body language?
3. when to quit asking? she quits--how is she supposed to know to keep going or quit?
4. review S patterns and falling leaf

Saturday discussed jumps with vet karen bullock--I am not going to ask for 3' jumps.

Thursday, March 19 Trail Ride

After being sick Sunday-Wednesday, today I CELEBRATED feeling good with a lovely trail ride "lesson" with Bethanna, Try and Hannah--beautiful day, just enjoying each others company.

did warmup in arena with a little canter on the right lead to help Try find the relaxation she needs for Morgan.

Love you Try!!

Saturday, March 14 Gina Clinic

See Gina Clinic page for details.

Friday, March 13

Comments:

Figure 8, big energy--can she be relaxed and keep a good trot?
Pick another pattern or obstacle for big E?? Side pass cavaletti??

Canter: ?? western saddle canter right lead on the rail until . . . alternate w/small circles ?