midterm

Midterm went really well. A lot better then I was expecting. I went a bit more slow with her as I was trying to make sure I gave her time to think about things and not to seem too nervous. I did not feel that nervous, I just pretended we were the only two in there. She walked over the tarp, bridge, and jump fine. With the zig zag poles she did fairly well all though on the last part she did not wait for me and kept walking, but she did stay between the poles. With the cones, we did it! Not perfect and we had to circle around one and I dropped my stick, and I did not stand in the hula hoop because  I felt like in order for her to be successful she needed more support from me. We did not have time to complete the ground poles but she did walk over them nicely. I was proud of what we accomplished. She has come so far since the first time we worked together.

Sides

I noticed the first time I worked with Gwene that she is very protective of her sides. She will try to block me with her head and/or sidestep. I can usually touch her sides if I start in front of her head and work my my way down her neck, but she does not like me to walk out and then back to her sides. We have not be able to work on the porcupine game with the carrot stick for this reason. I tried just getting myself next to her and keeping my hand on her side until she stopped walking away from the pressure, but I was not getting any real results. I then went to Sylvia. I learned I to be clear with what I am asking for and what I am NOT asking for. When she starts to move away, I need to ask her to stop until she does. I need to keep applying the pressure to her side until she stands still. I can also use my carrot stick to move her head away from trying to block me. Sylvia helped me understand that when she is physically blocking me with her head, she is also mentally blocking me. I am working on trying to help Gwene get past that. Since Sylvia's help, Gwene has gotten much better. I can now get up to her sides without having to ask her to stop for long periods of time. We are still far from perfect, but we are making progress. It is taking me a while to become coordinated with the carrot stick and getting after her with the lead, but I am slowing getting used to it. I am constantly amazed at just how fast she learns and understands what I am asking. I can see a distinct difference in her behavior in comparison to the first time I worked with her.

Scared

About two weeks ago, we were asked to go through three different obstacles - trailer loading, going over the bridge and going between the poles on the ground while being watched by either Randy, Sylvia, or Brother Twitchel. While Brother Twitchel was explaining what we were to do, my heart sank. I had not worked on anything of the sort with Gwenevere and I felt that we would not be able to accomplish any of these tasks. Brother Twitchel did give some ideas of how to prepare your horse to accomplish these tasks. I took a deep breath and went to work. Gwene did amazing! I was so shocked and surprised at how well she did. I took it slow and gave her a chance to see things and try to figure things out. When it was our turn to be tested, she so well. At each station I was given suggestions and correction of how to better communicate with Gwene. For instance- when I drive her, I should not move until her shoulder is level with me and to keep my stick as close to me as possible, for if its not completely out of the way, she will feel pressure from it. I also learned, to give her a chance to ask a question and that having my hand up is still applying pressure. I need to remember to put it down when its not needed. Another thing I learned is to make sure I can control both her shoulders and her hips and be clear enough so Gwene can tell the difference between which one I am asking for. This experience has given me more confidence in both my abilities and those of my horse.