another level

Really good session today.  It's hard to believe it, but we've jumped into another level, yet again.  There have been several of these quantum leaps in the last 4 weeks.  I'm just surprised at how many of them there are between wild horse and broke horse.

I tied her to a blocker ring in the aisle and worked on her feet right away.  I picked out the fronts and picked up the rears.  Brushed her all over--I never realized how much work I need to do around her flanks and loins.  She hauled off and kicked at me quite a bit when I went back there, but with her head tied I felt safe.  (Keep in mind, she still nips when she feels threatened, so I'm feeling it from both ends!)  Waited for some concession and then saddled her up and went to work.

Put the bit in right away and lunged her directly off the ring, w-t-c. Then I switched to "French Sytle," where the lunge line goes through the bit ring and back to the saddle.  This exercise was very helpful--she got to feel her head being pulled back towards the saddle, while in motion.  At the trot I waited for her mouth to give and then switched sides.  She gave me some nice strides.

Made a long "L" out of ground poles and practiced backing her through them.  I also put two barrels about 2' apart and made her back through them.  I was impressed she did this, because she had to brush past them to make it through.  BTW, today was windy and the snow was crashing off the roof, but her focus stayed 90% on me.  I was really impressed.

In-hand work along classical lines--very soft and responsive.  Shoulder in with a long, low neck!  Ended with more Clinton Anderson flexing to the bit.  She's a little dull, but both sides have the concept.

Took her saddle off and tied her in the aisle again.  This time I started trimming her front feet.  Was able to cradle her hooves in a stand, and also take them forward on a pedestal and apply  a mustang roll.  Did not take off everything, but got maybe 1/2 of it off.  Her feet look good--minimal flaring and a wide frog.  Bars are overgrown--I picked at them a little with the knife.  The hind legs were more ticklish and I only picked them out.  The heels on her hind feet are definitely long and I really want to take them down ASAP.

Spent a good 15 minutes brushing her and working more on her hindquarters.  Still ticklish but made some improvements.  I'm feeling today that the combination of picking up all 4 feet, really going into her remaining ticklish areas, and putting the bit in have really taken her to a new level.  There is a dramatic, new level of submission (trust?) now.