Catching Up - Patterns and Cradles

Hey, sorry I haven't updated my blog in a while, but I haven't had that many opportunities to play with Woody lately, so there's not a whole lot to catch up on. Since my last post my mom and I have gone for 3 walks, taking the horses with us. The first time we went down to the playground by the pond to play, and there were all kinds of fun, new things for Wood to get into. There was a hammock on the ground that he picked up and chewed on, there were log stumps he tried to step on, a really huge log fallen down that he almost jumped (scared me to death because it is huge and he's just a little guy), and there was also a pond that he snorted at. He was very engaged in the play session, and I managed to play all of the seven games at least once with him with a different obstacle (even the sideways game)! He did great in that session. The next time we went out we went up the driveway and into the hayfield on the other side of the driveway. It was really challenging for Charlotte to keep her face out of the grass, and mom got a little frustrated with her. But I reminded her that with LB Introverts, they try to make you emotional so you're weaker, they need you to ask for as little as possible and be happy with it, and to not push them, and to TAKE YOUR TIME. That helped a little. Woody was pretty much too interested in what was going on to stuff his face TOO much, but it did happen. So, when it did, I would give him a second then walk forward and if he didn't follow the feel of the halter, I would use my carrot stick for support and flick it at zone 3. After a while he was much more responsive to the halter, though. When we got to the hayfield, Woody got so animated and exuberant, wanting to run around and play, so I made a note to myself to bring my 22' line and practice my canter circles out there where he has that exuberance to practice that. I tried doing it on a 12' line, but he was carrying on all over the place, he would have ripped my arm out of it's socket! He needs more drift out there, so I'll be more prepared next time.
The last time we went out was just to sit out there and let them eat some nice lush grass (there is NOTHING in their pasture). So, that was good for them both.
I have also received my Cradle Bridle that I ordered from Parelli, and I have tried it on him and he wouldn't stop chewing on it (he has very little bit experience). He also was a little resistant to put it on, so I think I will practice bridling next time I go out.
Along with my bridle, we have received our patterns!!! I have already watched and read about Online and Liberty, and later today I will probably finish up freestyle. It is such a different way of thinking, it will take some getting used to, but I think it will be really good for both Woody and I to learn the patterns.
One last thing that happened was that my mom and I went to an Epona clinic which was a definitely and different experience, but and AMAZING one, too! I will have to tell more about that later, but for right now I really want to go out and try some patterns with Woody!
~Eden