WOW

That is my official reaction regarding the fact that, I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN A MONTH. But boy, has a LOT happened in that month. April was a really great month for Woody and I, I really believe our relationship is at a whole new level. There are many reasons I believe this..
1) I have a whole new perspective when I play with him. After watching the most recent Savvy Club DVD about the Horsenality/Personality mismatch, I have completely altered my methods. If you are the proud owner of a LBI horse, even just partially, I BEG you to watch this DVD, your horse will thank you!! Linda really shows the peron how to slooowww down your energy and how to wait, wait, WAIT on these guys. Now, I knew this before watching it, but once I watched it, I truly understood what it meant. Waiting does not mean phase one, phase three. It means, phaaaassseeee onnneeee.... phase four really quickly. It also means just waiting really really gently on them until they recognize and submit. It was amazing watching that, and even more amazing going out, using the principles, and seeing Woody's lightness!! He backs up with not even a wiggle of the rope, when I crouch at his butt really intensily he turns with a happy face, it is incredible!! This has also proved to be positive for him because I know longer "yell" at him and he uses his head more.
2) Stall work = good idea. Last post I explained how we had begun to work with the stal in preparation for the trailer. Well, he is now not wanting to leave the stall and able to close the door while he practically naps. Therfore, yesterday, I decided to go outside with him and play. We had a really good Circle Game session with me trying to allow him to focus on me and the task rather than grass. He had a temper tantrum, but after persistently asking him to try again, he made it around two times at a beautiful trot really connected. He ate a bit of grass, then went to the trailer to work with it. After pulling down the ramp, I asked him to go in, and he put his front foot in. Again, and he put his two front feet in. A couple minutes later he put up to his stomach in (the farthest he would go last time we tried). Again, and he tried to avoid going in the trailer by going around. I said "let me help you" and it turned into sideways along the trailer and without the trailer. Once again, and he went ALL THE WAY IN, grabbed a bite of hay from the awaiting hay net, and backed out slowly. I was so proud of him because A) he went in B) he was confident about it C) it really showed the much stronger relationship we have created since last year.
3) Terrie came and brought her friend Eve who has been following my blog and knew Woody before I got him. She trimmed their feet, and Eve and Mom watched a lesson I had with Terrie. The focus of the lesson was front hand driving. We started from the ground and got it going well, then moved to his zone three (mimicking riding him) and got the beginnings of driving his nose around from there. I mounted and we practiced carrot stick riding with driving his nose (first official carrot stick lesson) and also just generally having a plan while riding and some different excercises. He was focusing on grass at first, but then as time went on he had a happy expression and was even beginning to follow my focus and leg before using the rein or stick! It was fun getting to meet a fan of ours and to get back on his back, and hopefully Eve will come back to visit again soon.
4) To back up my theory of Woody and I's relationship continuing to the next level, I got a response to my Level 1 Audition

Dear Eden,

Thank you very much for your online Level 1 audition! The assessment team
has viewed your audition and it was a pleasure. We appreciate the
opportunity to be a part of your horsemanship journey!!

Let me be the first to congratulate you on achieving a Level 1+ Savvy
Online!!! You should receive your string and certificate within 4-8
weeks!!!

COMMENTS:
You have a great relationship started and have a solid level 1 savvy.
Areas for improvement would be showing us all 7 games and being award
of your horses expression when you drive zone 1/2. Also in future
auditions please don't edit your videoing. We want to see your time
management and what you do when things don't go perfectly.

Thanks again for your dedication to your horse and to the Parelli
program. We look forward to viewing your future success. Have fun
and keep it natural!

Julia Ryman
For the Parelli Audition Team 2009

This is very exciting for me because, I AM OFFICIALLY A LEVEL ONE GRADUATE!
5) A couple minor notes to inform you all on is that we are going to be moving my round pen from the horse field into our play area outside the pasture, expanding it to make it larger, and buying and putting down footing to make it a true area we can really focus on building our relationship (without the temptations of grass). Also, Woody is in superb shape, and we are looking forward to summer and our "Body Building Program" of excercising a lot and getting some muscle and a strong back.
~Eden