AWESOME Day!!

I had an absolutely amazing day with Gwen today!! The arena was empty, so we got to play out there under the big tree instead of in the round pen. A definitely plus, since the weather has been getting so hot lately! For the first time in forever, I brought out my carrot stick to play with. I'd been watching some old Savvy Site videos, especially the stuff where Linda and Pat are doing clinics, and working with lots of different horses, and it really got me thinking and inspired. We played the friendly game to reintroduce the carrot stick and savvy string, and then I used it to play some "porcupine from afar", and then start getting her to yield her hindquarters on intent rather than touch. We even got some really good forehand yields, in which she really turned on her haunches rather than just backing up.  We also practiced backing-up from the chest off the carrot stick/rhythmic pressure and then... we did a true Yo-Yo game!! For the first time, she backed off of the rope-wiggle! I never had to go to phase four, and once I only had to get to phase two for her to back! I didn't want to over do it so we soon moved on, but I was absolutely thrilled!

We played some circle-game, and then we tried Touch-It again. It was a total flop the first time I tried (a few weeks ago, I believe) but after some inspiration and instruction from the savvy-sight, I really had a plan. We started off with a plastic green barrel.  I just used the same concept from circle-game to direct her toward the barrel, changing direction each time she went past it, and slowly shortening the line so that she understood we weren't circling anymore. She wasn't too sure what was going on, but eventually she leaned over to give it a sniff. Lots of friendly game and a little rest, and then we went off to the "mail box" jump to try touch-it on that. Same concept of circle-direction change, and this time it took much less time. Last we tried the blue plastic barrel, and she really figured it out. Sniff-sniff, and then a HUGE sigh out. I was so happy!  We ended after some more friendly-game.

Over-all this has to be one of the best nights I've had with Gwen. We were totally in the zone, and she was really listening to me despite all the distraction that comes with being in the arena. Tomorrow, I'd like to work on more yo-yo, and then try some circle-game at the trot while in the arena. I've really lucked. There's a district show this weekend that one of the other riders is going too, and the barn-owner/riding instructor is going with him as a coach, which means there are no formal lessons the rest of the week/weekend, so chances are the arena will be EMPTY again!!  I'm even willing to try and play with her if it's not empty, so long as it's only one or two people (any more and it would be too crowded).

On a side note, I've gotten two fantastic compliments this week! Two different people, on two separate occasions, have remarked that Gwen really seems to like me, and that she's so calm and happy when we're together. I think that's the best compliment anyone can give me. Forget blue ribbons, I just want my horse to like me! XD

And now, a truly terrible picture of me, but Gwen looks pretty darn cute! She wanted to play touch-it with my camera, so only half her face got in the picture!

Adorable Gwen!

J