Gate and phases

July 28 Gate and provocative phases while riding issue:

Forum: like the isolate, separate, recombine things that you are doing. Can you start putting the smaller bits together into larger bits?

LOVE that idea--instead of focusing on 'open and shut the gate' as that is something I need before filming L3 freestyle: Instead make the gate a game for me and think of new and different things we can do with the gate i.e. back thru the gate; go all the way thru the opening and do 1/2 a 360 to turn and face, walk the fence/gate both directions and forward and back. We have already been sidepassing lots of different ways. Or how many ways can I play with the chain that has to be fastened around the gate?? hmmmm Or--the gate opens both directions and that could lead to new ideas. hmmm. and if each little segment is simple like that, its so much easier to give treats and rest??? maybe it'll change the whole process into something fun and I won't have to think about upping phases. Also as an LBI it doesn't require much energy and she should love that.

HOT LINE:
did call the hot line and asked about phases when a horse is being bratty. I.e. not stopping and waiting at the gate--suggestion--a firm backup and then stop and wait (its not about the gate) and reward when relaxed. Another example of phase being using the end of the rope to spank myself or my horse. Kristy Madoney?? Firmer backup, she should stand quietly where I place her. Assertive yes ma’am and then reward and think about it. Pin ears at canter—phase 4, shut down zone 1 for bad attitude, spank with end of rope myself then Try phases

forum: Something that's worked for me (I have a dominant LBE) is to make the gate a resting place. In other words, we would do circles or figure 8's in another part of the ring and when it was time to rest and relax we did it by the gate. Pretty soon that gate becomes VERY attractive to the horse. Next step is to pet the gate while continuing to rest next to the gate, the fiddling with the latch while resting next to the gate...you get the idea.

easy day

I was still tired and took it easy on everything

no stirrups in ring before camp started including as passenger and question box

little bit of good sideways
did gate down the road with some progress in breaking down steps and relaxing

paddock
new pedestal - liberty--some exploration by Try
quiet time

Sunday

Sunday--tired after Sat play day at my house

new pedestal - played with coming off it forward
sideways on the rail toward the gate--I could have been more relaxed
gates - good

cloverleaf - started well, canter would have been better to go back to bridle or up phases??
question box weave and sideways - improv to find new stuff

paddock: liberty circle and stick to me

I was too direct line today.
Note: filled out horsenality charts again and saw a lot of change.

freestyle--working on ideas for L3 video

lesson

ball - around the world
gate - lots of variations and no complete solution
pedestal - Try did it!!
sideways - better going to the gate and stick in left side ??both ways
cloverleaf change--do everything in front 1/4 of arena, barrels 12 cones, jog, trot, lope
anticipate cutting in and slow and relaxed to start--maybe stop???

lovely day Tuesday

Try glad to see me and get to play

clip
gate variations good
20 min no stirrups posting trot passenger lesson
small jump walk trot
long trail walk
dwell time in paddock while I cleaned tack

Monday

gate wide open walk thru turn and face and relax 4x treats for relaxation
small jump--walk and trot over--no jump, turn and face relax

walk in ring w/cathy and shirley

canter for exercise and relaxation

fun with charlie

Saturday Emotional Fitness Day

yesterday--Try and I went slooooow playing with areas where emotional fitness is an issue: Found out for L3 freestyle--open the gate task requires closing it as well. gggg We haven't tried this for 3-4 years and last time, Miss Try would lose her emotional fitness. Possibly harking back to days of pressure in trail competition.

Anyway studied in L2 pack Linda's break down of the steps involved. We were able to go and stand by the gate and be very relaxed. Holding the gate/latch NOT SO MUCH. Next time I am going to open the gate fully and practice walking out turn and face and relax and walk back in turn and face and relax before going back to opening/closing the gate.

Also emotional fitness: took lots of time and stayed very relaxed with two areas where the adrenalin comes up for Try: small jump and bowtie simple lead change pattern.

makes sense to me--now that a lot of new learning goes well between us--its time to go back and relearn some areas where she has baggage from the past. Looking at it that way makes it feel like a fun challenge to me instead of something to feel guilty about not having already "fixed."