I didn't write this in my last post but I should. I'm feeling much calmer when working with Chance. I'm not really sure why, it could be the new approach to my fear - approach, retreat until I feel okay. Whatever the reason I am grateful. I can see and feel the progress we are making, even with the little things. And my calmness is having a wonderful effect with Chance.
Jaye pointed out the other day that Chance wasn't following my feel, but following me kind of like he would another horse. This was a huge thing for us. I'm not sure why I wasn't aware of this, although I was very aware of him getting in my space and having difficulty with boundaries. I was waiting until he was already in my space before doing something about it. And what I was doing wasn't always working. Now things are very different. I am aware of so much more now, and making small corrections when they are needed which means that the big corrections are becoming less and less. I'm much more careful and aware of how I ask him to do something, trying so hard to be clear. I've got lots more work to do to continue to improve on my horsemanship, but I think he is starting to appreciate the small changes I'm offering him!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
A good week
I'm not going to write everything that has happened since my last post. But I did manage to work with Chance 4 times this week and rode him 2 of the four times. I'm riding outside of the ring right now which has been very good for my confidence. I'm doing LOTS of ground work and then hopping on bareback. I also spend a good amount of time getting on his back and then getting off. I still find myself with butterflies when I get on him so I get off as many times as it takes for them to go away. Then I'll ask for a few steps and if I feel okay we will continue.
The groundwork is going VERY well. I actually found myself looking for more to do with him so I set up a small obstacle course. We weave in and out of barrels, over poles and around cones. Nothing too exciting but it is a fun way to work on moving him at the walk and trot without getting bored and without doing circles over and over again. I was asking him to back through the barrels today and he wasn't so sure about the whole idea. I was pleasantly surprised with my reaction to his lack of confidence. Instead of getting nervous (which is usually my reaction) I found it a challenge to figure out how to help him through it. Which led to stepping over sideways, one step back, stop, another step, stop...etc. We did some approach and retreat and before I new it he was backing through the barrels with confidence! I would love to someday be able to take him to a versatility challenge. A goal to work toward. I've had lots of fun with him this week, I'm also finding myself planning horse time for next week.
The groundwork is going VERY well. I actually found myself looking for more to do with him so I set up a small obstacle course. We weave in and out of barrels, over poles and around cones. Nothing too exciting but it is a fun way to work on moving him at the walk and trot without getting bored and without doing circles over and over again. I was asking him to back through the barrels today and he wasn't so sure about the whole idea. I was pleasantly surprised with my reaction to his lack of confidence. Instead of getting nervous (which is usually my reaction) I found it a challenge to figure out how to help him through it. Which led to stepping over sideways, one step back, stop, another step, stop...etc. We did some approach and retreat and before I new it he was backing through the barrels with confidence! I would love to someday be able to take him to a versatility challenge. A goal to work toward. I've had lots of fun with him this week, I'm also finding myself planning horse time for next week.
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