Just got back from a fantastic play session with Destin, where we built on what we knew, using the tools/techniques learned in Christi's clinic (www.ChristiRains.com).
Started with some friendly game - scratching, loving while brushing and fly spraying. Then did some on-line playing. Started with the 4 Rs. Respect - driving backup, then yes ma'am back up. Took a couple times to see a change for the yes ma'am. Follow me was fine. Yielding hind quarters 361 degrees! nice! Then practiced our yield Forequarters - this is Destin's hole. Backed up a few steps, then asked for FQ yield. Got several nice cross over steps from him in each direction. Nice! Step on pedestal with front feet (Destin's favorite thing), step on blue tarp (with puddles of water on it), put two feet in hula hoop. Stopped to scratch and put on bareback pad. Then did some circle game at a walk, then trot in both directions. Got nice backup and snappy departures. nice! Set up a small jump, did some circles then asked Destin to stop at jump (touch it). Next time, asked him to jump it. He basically went through it - barely over and creamed it. really sloppy. so set jump back up, circled a few times, then asked fro jump. plowed through it again. doesn't seem to be afraid just not happy about it. set jump up again, got momentum up, asked for jump again - nice, clear jump. down to 1 knee I go. Dwell! :D
Did a walking figure 8, till I didn't have to pick up stick - only took a couple times. nice!
Time to ride :) Asked Destin to pick me up at fence, and he tolerated my really sloppy mount from the fence from right side. I need to work on that! Did some arena riding. Superman turns, walking to HQ yield (nice!). lovely light backups (as usual). Not so good on FQ yield. Insists on moving front feet, so got carrot stick to assist and thought "how can I set Destin up for success?". Put us up against fence (butt too), so no backward movement. And used carrot stick to assist with communication. Got 1 step sideways on front (yeah!) stopped - rubbed. waited for lick and chew. repeated on other side. yeah!
played around a bit more in arena, then opted to go for a walk. Had a nice ride down our driveway with Simba, our dog leading. Destin is getting better at trusting me when we're out 'alone'. Focus is key. And when he was getting distracted, we played some games (superman turns, oh-no stops, trot 3 steps, stop/backup). Worked really well. Also did some FQ yield and got one step sideways without moving back feet - yea!
On the return trip, Destin was in a hurry (so funny, coming from the "I don't' want to go horse"), so practiced our "oh-no", stroke rein 3 times, one rein bend to a stop, and other hand pushing on pommel.
Back at the house, untacking, Destin was focusing on other horses, so I got his attention by doing some HQ yields, follow me at trot. Nice! And FQ yield, getting cross over step - yeah!
What fabulous morning!! We were really partnering today - fabulous! THIS is what I love about Parelli!!!
Thanks for reading! :D
Keeping It Natural and Loving It,
Lauren
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