Catching Up - Figure 8 Attempt

A couple of days ago I was inspired by the Patterns, so I went out to try a couple of the online patterns out. I started with the Figure 8 Pattern by setting up two barrels about 10 feet apart. I sent him through the barrels and soon found out that I had sent him the wrong way so that he would turn around it away from me, causing me difficulty. So, I disengaged his hindquarters and started over, sending him the other way. Throughout the whole time of trying the Figure 8 Pattern, I felt like I was micromanaging him, telling him "now drive your zone 3 away... ok... don't lose speed! Good, now draw to me... more! Now drive away from me. Don't run over me!" It was pretty disastrous, and I didn't understand because the Patterns are designed to help a horse take up more responsibility, not be more micromanaged! I temporarily gave up on that and moved on to the next task: working with Woody on bridling. I got his Cradle and I have been practicing holding the headstall between his ears (he had trouble with that 1. he doesn't like his ears messed with 2. he would anticipate the bit and start getting worried) so I practiced that again. He was much more relaxed with the headstall being held there, so I used approach and retreat to hold the bit right under his lips. He finally stood still with it resting on his lips, so I let him eat a little bit of grass. When he came up from eating, I practiced what I had already achieved, and put my thumb in his mouth to open it. Once the bit was in he chomped and chewed and sucked on it, trying to figure it out. All he has had in his mouth is a simple snaffle, so it's pretty new to him. Once he FINALLY relaxed his mouth and went silent for about 5 seconds, I took it out and ended the session! Little by little he is improving his bridling skills, and I will have to go and watch those online Patterns again to see what to do differently.
~Eden