Training Journal Week 6

Session 15 - February 27

What I was most happy about with this session is the general sense of calm that pervaded the entire time.  I feel like last week's break through really contributed to a feeling of mutual understanding and ease that made everything in this session flow easily.  

I started working Limra calmly on circles in both directions.  Shortly after the start of the session Erik came up to the viewing deck of the round pen and she found that highly distracting.  I decided to allow her to go say hi to Erik.  Limra gave Erik inquisitive nuzzles and he gently stroked her nose a couple of times before I asked her to get back to work. 

In the beginning, I focused on circle size control at walk and then built off of that foundation as we transitioned to more trot work.  I used the bigger circle for trot and then would draw her back onto a small circle and into walk.  We alternated like this between gaits and circle sizes in both directions.  This went very smoothly to the left but as usual she had more issues finding her balance on the right circles.  

Next I decided to introduce a saddle pad and begin the process of desensitizing her to it on the ground.  I began by having her follow it on a circle and rewarded her for touching her nose to it.  As she gained confidence I began rubbing her with it over her back.  I would start at the shoulder and then gradually move it further down toward her rump and up her neck.  We did this in both directions.  I loved how confident she was through the whole process.  

Since the saddle pad introduction was so successful I decided to progress to introducing a lunging surcingle.  I followed the same system of following and rubbing it over her back as I had with the saddle pad.  When she showed she was confident with it I went ahead and girthed it up around her belly.  Limra was a bit hesitant taking her first steps forward with it around her but quickly gained confidence and I was able to send her forward into trot without seeing any negative reactions.  Terral and I agreed that this bodes well for her future with carrying a saddle and ultimately a rider!

Session 16 - March 1

When starting youngsters the goal is for the sessions to be boring to watch.  If you are progressing at a rate that is easy for the horse to understand and feel comfortable - things tend to be unexciting.  That was definitely the case for today’s session.  It was uneventful in spite of the fact that we introduced both a bareback pad and some weight on Limra’s back for the first time.  

I began the session with a review of distance control on the circle at walk and trot in both directions.  I also reviewed front and hind quarter yields, following at the shoulder work, and backing up from the front.  

Then I began to work with a bareback pad.  I introduced the bareback pad in the same fashion that I have with all the other items we have used thus far.  I started by having Limra sniff it and follow it.  Then I began rubbing her with it on the shoulder and across her back.  Then we practiced helping her get used to standing while I was messing with the girth and ultimately girthing up the pad.  When the pad was secure I began with walk circles and transitioned quickly to trot work as well.  We feel it’s important to prioritize forward momentum with youngsters when starting them under saddle and we also like to see how they respond to carrying the pad and saddle within a context of moving forward as opposed to standing still.  This helps us avoid a potential freeze response where the horse is fearful but frozen in place.  Limra moved forward with confidence and fluidly changed directions multiple times in a row demonstrating to me that she felt totally comfortable carrying the bareback pad.

I completed the session by standing next to her and beginning the process of teaching her to be comfortable with mounting and dismounting.  First I simply practiced jumping up and down next to her.  Then I bellied up so I was hanging my weight over her back and then slid off the side.  I repeated this to both directions and she stood quietly and was very relaxed but curious about what I was doing.  Overall a fantastic session. 

Session 17 - March 2

I started with the usual following at the shoulder and then circling work.  I practiced larger circles at walk and trot because I knew today I wanted to try and have her move out with the saddle for the first time.  I wanted to be able to send her out onto a larger circle to help her maintain forward flow.  

Next I reviewed our desensitization with the saddle pad work and then progressed to introducing the saddle.  I held the saddle over one arm and my carriage whip in the other hand.  I’d walk and let Limra follow the saddle, then stop and swing it over her back/touch her with it, and then take it off and repeat.  I did this multiple times in both directions making sure she was confident.

Next I went ahead and began to fully saddle her.  I was abit nervous about her moving off before I had the saddle secured but she stood calmly for me.  There was one moment where she checked out the girth with her nose and another where she started to drift off.  But I was able to keep her with me and calm other than those brief moments.  

With the saddle on we started with circling work at both walk and trot.  Limra was mildly concerned and I felt like she was thinking backwards too much.  I went ahead and pushed her forward into the canter and onto some bigger circles so she started to think forward and move forward more freely.  Once I felt like she was moving normally I also worked on reviewing her repertoire of exercises including yielding and backing up.  We did quite a lot of exercises and circles as I wanted Limra to really get a chance to acclimate to the feel of moving with the saddle.  The draw was not 100% all the time but overall she stayed connected.  I could not be more excited and proud of her today!