Today I worked Maddie early and then for a shorter period late in the afternoon. For the AM session I saddled her outside and went straight to the outdoor arena. I wanted to take her back to the area that caused her trouble yesterday and work through it. Primarily we needed to get over the crowding when she gets nervous.
Started with backing and found the problem right away. In certain positions, like being backed towards something that scares her, she can stick and then rear. It's hard not to flinch when I don't see the rear coming, but I definitely worked through it effectively. After getting some concession I took her into an unused paddock and did some lunging for respect and C pattern. She got around behind me a bit but I did not let up, only to rest her in the scary parts. After a good 15 minutes I let her soak in the middle and did some rope work. She did her best yet, but I still want to get the head shake gone when I slap the rope hard on the saddle. Turn and go was very smooth, even dull. I did more of the "changing eyes" exercise, going from yielding the hindquarters to yielding the forequarters in one sweeping motion. This exercise is in some respects more difficult for the trainer than the horse. She did well.
Took her back inside for some quick work, including working on her mouth and head. Then put her away. BTW, she is being turned out daily now and being put back in her stall by the barn staff.
Around 4:00 I came back and took some 12' telephone poles off one of the many piles and made a 4-spoked wheel for lunging in the outdoor arena. Maddie loved it! I had never used this kind of obstacle before and I was amazed at how soft she felt. She was too busy dealing with the telephone poles and her feet to do anything else. Really fun. I yielded her often and changed directions a lot. Short session.
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