Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Trying and Failing, but Really Succeeding

Sunday afternoon Mom and I went to the horses, with her cam-corder in hand, hoping to film my level 1 online and possibly my level 2 online as well. I was pumped, so I got Woody in the round pen, and off we went. We recorded 45 minutes, and most of that time was him standing and staring at the camera and not being responsive AT ALL. At first we did Friendly, Extreme Friendly, and started on the figure-8 pattern. He promptly went to one cone being use, and picked it up and moved it 10 feet out of camera range. We eventually got a good firgure-8, but I thought it would be good for the Parelli people to see his horsenality and that I wouldn't rush him, but merely refocus him. After figure-8, we did touch it with barrels and touch it with the pedestal and him putting his feet on it. I did a circle without any obstacles at a trot and then did one with a jump which he managed to push out of the way rather than jump. I massaged his legs, picked up all 4 feet from one side, and went on to the last task: Run froward, and back horse up.
I trotted forward, and all the sudden I look behind me to see Woody with his ears flat back and his teeth coming toward me. I stopped him, backed him up, and let him think about it a bit. He kept a negative expression on his face for the rest of the tape, and it made me think "how interesting." I watched the tape back and noticed how he was not in tune with me at all; looking everywhere except at me. He was slow, and not as snappy with his aids as usual. He had a negative expression on his face. I decided to not use that tape to send in for my levels 1-2 onlie audition because looking back, Mom and I both think it is not an accurate picture of our great relationship. So, I am going to get him used to the camera (so he can focus on me rather than it) and try again later (maybe when Terrie is here, so she can help me with some stuff).
As for the biting, I am devoted to driving and procepining his forequarters as much as possible without prilling it, because he is fairly weak at those games. Also, I need to fix his Yo-yo Game and practice that back-up! I need to be able to sense when he's about to nip and stop that thought before the action takes place. I believe his biting is, although dominance, not agression. I'll keep everyone posted about how these changes are taken by the WoodMan!
~Eden
P.S. I have become aware, yet again, that the phrase is "love, language, leadership, in EQUAL doses." I also need to remember that Woody doesn't like to be in charge and have to constantly look out for himself. He needs to trust me to be a good leader. If I am one to him, he will be happier than ever. Mom told me this weekend I have the love part down pat, and the language is good, but the leadership needs some work!

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