Small victory with Gypsy & the Trailer

I had a few spare moments this afternoon, so decided to give Gypsy another chance at loading into the trailer. After some grooming and a few games with her, we eventually made it over to the trailer. She was not too interested in approaching so I just let her make it there in her own time and working through her thresholds. As soon as she did make it up to the open end of the trailer I backed her up and let her graze a bit. I then asked her to reapproach a few more times and backed her up a few more times. Eventually I got her to put her front end in and backed her up. This was the first time she's done that without me being IN the trailer first and asking her to follow. Yay! Then the next time I asked her to go in the trailer, she went right in. But then immediately backed out. I must have asked her into the trailer over 30 times after that and each time she either went in half-way and backed out or in all the way and immediately backed out. I was having trouble finding a way to get her actually stand still in there for a few seconds before backing out, but couldn't figure out how. I remember Don Halladay saying if the horse comes out 100 times, you load 101 times. Well, I lost count, but I think it may have been around 40 when she went in and stopped and looked around. I rubbed her with the carrot stick and asked her to back out. Then I led her away and let her graze some grass. Inside of me was an EXPLOSION of emotion. I know it was such as small thing, but it was HUGE! I was almost at the point where I was starting to get frustrated and was thinking of calling it quits before I did something stupid and ruined any progress we made. When she looked back at me in the trailer she was TOTALLY asking me "is this what I'm supposed to do?" I was jumping up and down inside. It was such a good feeling. We ended with that.

The best laid plans....

So my plans to work with 2 horses a day is actually more like 2 horses a week! I may be kidding myself about getting the fillies started/ridden this summer, eh? I need to come into some money so I can get Ken to start them. Then I can (hopefully) keep going on them. Or sell them. I'm getting pretty attached to them though, so that's definitely not going to be easy. Which, I think, is what hubby was afraid of!

I feel like I've been falling asleep on the job. But there's lots going on these days. I have a new nephew, the kids are now out of school and work is taking me out of town. I will persevere and I hope things get easier. This weekend. For sure. I'll get out lots with them. PROMISE!

Trailer loading - attempts 2 & 3

Today I got both Jake and Skittles loading in the trailer. Jake (left) went in without issue at all, but had a bit of trouble backing out. He'd be fine if he could turn around and come out head first, but was completely unconfident backing out. We tried it a few times and each got a bit better, but not great. I had to be in front of him each time rather than having him back out just with pressure on the line from outside the trailer (he'd keep trying to turn, rather than back out).

Then I went out to get Skittles (last 4 pics) to see how she'd do. She was high-headed and snorty to start like she always is. I started with friendly game with the carrot stick and string and she had a hard time standing still, but eventually settled. Then I did some squeeze game up against the trailer. She had to do that a few times before she could squeeze beside the trailer without trotting. Then I changed direction and asked her to "squeeze" into the trailer. She did awesome. Each time we approached, she got just a bit closer, then retreated. Each time we retreated, she licked her lips and got more relaxed. After only the 4 approach, she stepped in with her front feet, then we backed out again. On the next attempt she walked right in. Unfortunately she turned around and LEAPT out. So we tried again to see if she could come out a bit calmer, but ran out of time (had to get son to gymnastics and daughter to birthday party!). So we ended with just getting her front end in and backing out. We'll have to try again another day and see if we can't get that exit nice and relaxed.

Trailer loading - first attempt

Today, after finally getting all the wiring working for the truck and trailer and after the rain stopped, I decided to get cracking with this trailer loading stuff! I've always loaded Gypsy by leading her into the trailer and she's always loaded just fine that way, but never really relaxed. I've always been one of those people who - once the horse is in the trailer - just SHUT THE DOOR!! I've been lucky that Gypsy listens to me even though she's afraid. I hope that I can work through this so that she's no longer afraid.

I started by just doing some driving, circle game and yoyo, as well as squeeze using the side of the trailer. She did great doing that, so we tried some "put your nose on that" game all around the trailer and ended up at the opening at the back. I yoyo'd her away from the trailer and then brought her forward and asked her to go past me into the trailer, then when she stopped with her head in the trailer, I asked her to back up again. We did lots of approach and retreat and after a few approaches without her trying more than before, I tapped her in zone 4 and asked for a bit more. She gave me a little lean forward and then backed up.

We did this over and over many times but didn't really make any additional progress. In fact, I think we were getting worse, she didn't come close to putting a foot up. She never got past putting her head and neck in. So I tried getting into the trailer - like before - and just had her lift her front end, back up, come in half way, back up, lots of friendly etc. Then she started coming in all the way and backing out. I just let her - in the hopes that eventually she'd stay in a bit longer. She did eventually stay for a little while, put her head down and let me scratch her a bit before she backed out again. I did it a couple more times until she stayed long enough until I asked her to back out. Then we left and worked on some circling and transitions again. She did pretty good at the transitions this time. Only stopped about half the time when I asked for a walk.

I still think I'm too straight-line thinking. Not enough retreat when it comes to the trailer. I probably shouldn't have lead her into the trailer. I should have tried to be patient enough to let her try on her own. Not enough savvy yet. Poor Gypsy. She really does try and I love her for it. She asks lots of questions and keeps trying. She's great. I just need to reward lots more for that and do lots more retreating. I've got to remember it's not about the trailer. I've got to remember that. Or we'll never get it right. That's why I started something else after backing her out of the trailer. I needed to stop thinking about the trailer! Hopefully I'll be in a better frame of mind for the next attempt.

Gypsy starts level 2 lessons

I've been watching and reading the level 2 material for about a week now and got started with Gypsy yesterday. The first lesson is the 7 games with an obstacle. Gypsy and I did this on the 22' line, with one of our picnic tables. (No photos today.... I was alone again. Just a portrait of Gypsy saying hello over the fence).

Friendly game was me just sitting on it and rubbing her. We walked past it a few times and I put some crunchies on it in the middle she had to reach across to get.

Porcupine game: I couldn't think of anything to do except to porcupine her around the table (I had her facing the table and had her yield her around the table by alternately applying pressure to zone 1 and zone 3 - both sides).

Driving game: drove her up to the table from zone 3 to put her nose on one of the benches, drove her front end around in a circle starting and ending with her facing the table.

Yoyo: I yoyo'd her away from the table with me standing on the bench and the again between the deck and the table (combination yoyo and squeeze!).

Circle game: I had her circle in front of as well as around the table. I combined this one with trying some transitions (lesson 2) in the circle as well: walk-trot-walk-trot. She did pretty good too! Lots of stopping when I asked her to go from trot to walk though. That's OK, she was always checking back and asking questions which was really cool. I don't think it'll take her very long at all to master these transitions.

Sideways game: Again just sideways facing the table, both ways. She's a star at this!

Squeeze game: We did the squeeze between the table and the deck. We also tried this between the swings on the swingset. She didn't get more than her head between the swings at first, so I helped by draping one of the swings over the ladder on the side (to widen the opening) and she rushed through the first couple of times, but then relaxed a little and made it through a little more relaxed the next two times. Such a star!

We also did a few more "put your nose on this" around the yard. This is driving her from zone 3 (making her go first) toward a particular object and essentially steering her to put her nose on something. It really tests your communications skills!

Part of level 2 is to improve your communications skills to the point of not having to use the carrot stick very much. To help me become more aware of how much I use the carrot stick for communication, I have to put a bell on the end of it. Throughout this session, I definitely had that bell ringing too much. Not so much with the circle game or the yoyo, but definitely with the driving, squeeze and sideways game. Anyway, I'm sure we'll get there. Gypsy is doing just awesome!

Skittles gets a turn

So I guess I didn't quite get out on Monday... or Tuesday. Monday because I had some laser surgery on my leg and was on painkillers and Tuesday because it rained most of the day. So... a bit of a slow start to my plan.

HOWEVER, today I did get out with Skittles.

She was snorty and high-headed with everything to start (per her usual behaviour), but settled once I started grooming her. We did friendly game with the carrot stick and string - no issues at first, but then she decided to move around and got all uptight, so I kept at it until she stopped. Then started again -- this time she stayed still.

Then I did some porcupine game --- really sensitive. She moved at a phase 1 in all zones. Really impressive. Then we did some yoyo and figured it out after 3 tries and was backing consistently with phase 2 and twice at phase 1.

Then, because the flies and mosquitoes were so bad, I thought we should try the friendly game with the spray bottle. I took out a bottle just with water in it and moved all around her with it, rubbing her sides, neck, rump, legs.... No problem. Then I started spraying the ground around her. Because it was windy, the spray drifted into her and she skittered sideways away from it. I kept this up - moving toward her and away from her, toward her and away from her, etc. but she never stopped trying to escape. I know I didn't spend enough time at this because I never did figure out how close (or far) I could get before she'd keep her feet still and quit backing up. I had company show up, so had to cut the session short. Instead I wiped the fly spray on her with my hand. Even this way, she would move away from me. Not sure if it was still the sound of the spray that bothered her, or the fact that when I rubbed her my hand was wet? Will definitely give it another try next time. Maybe in the round corral and see if I can figure out where I can spray without her moving her feet (might have to get a 5-gallon spray bottle!).

She really TRIED to stand for me a couple times... but was still ready to bolt. I moved away each time she stood still but she'd still get quivery when I reapproached. More retreat, right? Retreat retreat retreat until she's OK with the approach. Not the most successful session, but it can only get better!

Moving on up with Indy and Jake

Now that Gypsy and I have passed level 1, it's time to get Jake, Indy and Skittles "Leveled-up" as well as continue on with Level 2 skills with Gypsy. Today I worked with Indy and Jake. I'm going to try to work with 2 horses a day (if commitments allow) ... so tomorrow (hopefully) it will be Skittles and Gypsy.

Before I did anything, I wandered out to the field to visit them all. For the first time, Gypsy came up to me. I gave her tons of scratches in all the sweet spots and then walked back toward the gate. Gypsy followed along with her head right by my shoulder. My heart just about burst! She's never done that before. About 5 feet from the gate she stopped and put her head up. Hmmmm ... how interesting! It would seem we reached a threshold, so I backed her up and scratched her some more, got her all relaxed and then walked forward again. This time she got right up to the gate, and I rubbed her some more and left to get both halters (both because I didn't know who would approach first: Jake or Indy, so was prepared for either). I wasn't planning on working with Gypsy, so just spent some undemanding time. The first 2 DVDs and program guide for level 2 speak about learning to read your horse right from the moment he/she is aware of you. So that's what I did with Gypsy. I'm certain the reason she approached me today was because she read my intent NOT to catch her. It's really amazing what these horses can sense without you even realizing. And now that I'm starting to learn some of the very subtle changes horses make in their body language, it's really cool trying to read and understand and adjust what I'm doing to be a better leader. Very cool stuff.

ANYWAY.... I started with Indy because she came up first. I rubbed her all over with the halter, put it on and then led her out. Indy is one of those horses that never seems to be paying attention. She walks right over you and kind of goes... "Huh, wazzat?" when I block her to remind her NOT to walk over me. It takes quite a bit to get her to pay attention. And today was no different. Through the whole session today, she was always looking anywhere but at me. We worked on porcupine, driving and yoyo games today (first 2 photos are driving zones 4 and 1). I had to use a consistent phase 3, sometimes 4 to get reactions from her in the driving and yoyo games. (Phases again are pressure to 1. hair, 2. skin, 3. muscle and 4. bone). She was about a phase 2-3 in porcupine in both zones 1 (head) and 3 (body). I finally did get some focus from her when I brought out my exercise ball. She wasn't too sure about that to start, but very curious! (photos ... also, see my new horse trailer in the background? Cool huh? :-)) So we started following it around, and she was OK with pushing it with her nose. She is quite confident and curious about most things, so it wasn't long before I was able to roll it under her, bounce it all around and even up on her back. That was kind of cool. We left it at that. We'll try circling game next time.

I put Indy back in the pasture and went to get Jake's halter. When I got back to the gate, Jake was already waiting for me (below). This has happened WAY too many times with him to be coincidence. I swear that horse can read my mind. There have been times when I'd be out in the pasture with the horses, they all crowd around me looking for treats and I START thinking about driving them away and then Jake does it for me. Or I want to work with one of the horses (eg. Skittles) and Jake will drive THAT horse to me or the others away. It's the strangest thing... but like I said, it has happened too many times to be coincidence.

So this has mostly translated in my level 1 stuff with him too. He is a beautifully light phase 1 in the porcupine game in all zones (friendly game is always good too) and consistent phase 1 in the driving game in zone 4. Driving zone 1/2 is not quite a phase 1, but close. Yoyo ... when I started the yoyo, he shifted back immediately with my first phase 1 and I released immediately -- more from surprise than anything else (it's been months since I did this with him last). After that though he wouldn't move until I got to phase 3. Hmmm... not sure why. I gave him a long phase 1 each time, followed by a quick 2,3,.. before he moved. Curious.

Circling game is a challenge for him. I started with a small circle using my carrot stick at first in zone 4 to move him forward, and then using the stick to block him when he got too close. He did OK with that, but then we tried the big circle. He got really right-brained and unconfident when I asked him on to the circle (to the right) he backed away more and started going left. It took several swings of the string on his right to get him to turn, but then he took off at a trot. the bring back was equally resistent -- he went one full round before disengaging his hind end. The send to the left was way better. Interesting. I tried again to the right, but he still resisted and tried to go left, but then when he finally did go right, it was with his head down and walking instead of head high and trotting like before. Much better. I left it at that with him. Hopefully our next session will go smoother. Next I just did some friendly game with the ball on him as well. No issue whatsoever. I rolled the ball all around him, under him, bounced it around and up on his back. No problem. He was WAY better with that than he is with the saddle!

When I brushed him and pet him after, I noticed he consistently blocks me on his left side. This is definitely consistent with him not doing the circle game to the right (because then I'd be on his left). Interesting. Will have to do LOTS more stuff on his left in future.

Parelli Level 1: PASSED!!

The 3-day Level 1 Parelli clinic this past weekend was great. Gypsy did awesome, we passed the assessment with flying colors on Saturday night and started moving on to Level 2 stuff (here's the group I tested with, getting our red savvy strings from Don Halladay - 3-star licensed Parelli professional). The last photo shows Gypsy wearing the savvy string she helped earn. The weekend was really hot, but thankfully we were in an indoor arena, so shaded from the hot sun. We did a fair bit of riding in this clinic which we didn't do in the one last fall. So this was the first time Gypsy has been ridden with other horses. She's been in an arena with other horses (on the ground in halter) with me making sure the other horses stay out of her way (i.e. me being her leader), so there were never any issues. With me on her back though, she was constantly jockying for position in the pecking order with the other horses: lots of squeeling, ears back etc. So we had lots to work through there. No major incidents, just lots of effort to keep her attention on me. During the assessment on Saturday night, one of the tasks is to do "Pushing Passenger" at a trot for 21 minutes. She was constantly stopping or slowing to a walk to pin her ears back at a passing horse. I spent most of those 21 minutes asking her to trot. Which was OK, the point of the exercise is to show how to handle a transition in gait using the 4 phases (allow the horse to get wrong, before asking for the correction). Getting her back to a trot only needed a phase 2 (gradual increasing squeeze with legs). She just couldn't maintain the trot with all the other horses as distraction. At home she maintains gait without any problem.

The photos I've included were taken by a student auditing the clinic (many thanks to her). But because they were taken inside without a flash, many were blurry. So the ones I've included here are probably the clearest, but don't show a ton of activity. Rest assured, the clinic was very fun and interesting. 3 Full days of Parelli! What more could a person ask for? :-)