With-you-ness

This is a common "Harry-ism" (referring to Harry Whitney) and is something that he really stresses in his clinics. Today I went out to play, and ended up tacking Woody up at Liberty in his new FAVORITE place - his stall (I call it his "cave"). Anyways, I tacked him, tried out the breastplate for fit (we took them to Sheperd's tack shop for Mr. Sheperd to make the end a clip to clip to the girth ring). I got a good fit, then I went out and played some zone 3 driving on the 22' line (to simulate riding). This worked well an I was really happy with how he responded. I then got his hackamore on, and mounted from the ground while he stood stock still. I began to play with him using the concept of focus. This is a really key idea when playing with Woody and I am trying to grow in this department. Therfore, we went around to different object in the pasture (the jolly ball, the logs, the barrel, the cone, the waterer, the feed buckets, etc.) and played point to point with them. He was doing well with this, and when he occasionally tried to stick his nose out and run through pressure, I would keep focused on the object and redirect him. It seemed well until we were going down the fence line headed toward the barn. He began to not connect with me, and sped up, trying to push through the pressure back to the barn. Eventually, after fighting a bit with his rider, he succeeded in making his way to the barn, a cantering over to it. Plus side : this shows his growth in confidence in cantering Minus side: showed he had to go to extremes to get my attention and "take matters in his own hands." At this, I dismounted, had an emotional moment, talked with Mom about what had happened, and hopped back on (he stood still and was fine with mounting). We talked and she brought up the aspect of "with-you-ness". She really helped me understand and remind me of the whole concept of "do less sooner rather than more later" and how that applied to this situation. Basically, she viewed it as him showing he is unconfident. However, he is not unconfident of the situation or environment persay but rather in my leadership. Therefore, he is forced to "look out for #1 (himself)" as Harry would say and escape, making him the leader again. After this insightful talk, Mom helped me to work with him. I started walking with him down the fenceline toward a pole on the groud, however at a certain point he would say no! and turn around. Rather than try to muscle through the situation, I allowed him to, kept walking throught the overhang where he wanted to be and to the other side. We kept going back and forth, reaching a barrier of sorts, stopping, turning and going the other way. At one point he got so hung up on sitting in front of the tack room that he rammed he into the door on the side. I realized I was letting the situation escalade too much and I should act sooner, so next time I felt him drift, I would apply leg pressure and guide with the reins to say "no, stay straight" He eventually got walking down both sides of the fence line, really in tune with me, and whereas before he had been very difficult to stop walking toward the barn, I lifted my hand and he stopped. It was amazing what changes occured. His gait was smoother, not faster heading toward the barn, he was more responsive and checked in with me, and by not demanding much from him and allowing him to stop and turn back around (building confidence in my leadership and relationship) he began to offer more and not try his "pony tricks". It was a very neat lesson that definietly left me with MUCH to lick and chew on.
Also, our riding is not the only thing improving. Woody had a really good Online session the other day. We were doing the Figure-8 pattern in the field outside the fence, and he seriously just started trotting really beautifully when I asked him to go. His draw and drive was superb also in the pattern, and it REALLY showcased how the patterns help motivate (LBI) and gain obedience (LBE). He was on the 22' line and I was using most of the line because he was allowing me to give him more room and responsibility during the pattern. After that successful pattern, we went on to practiceour circles. I had the 22' line, and we were in a big field, so when I asked for the canter he picked it up and held it really nicely. He made it around almost two circles without breaking gait, and when I noticed him petering I asked him for a change of direction which he executed perfectly WHILE MANTAINING GAIT!!! It was really cool. We played a bit more, and played on the 45' just a bit (I am practicing my coordination with that rope). We went inside and I took his halter off and played Stick to Me at different speeds within the gaits (trot mainly) across the pasture to the round pen at liberty). Then, I sat up on the round pen panel, and I turned around because I heard him shuffling around and he had Sidewaysed over to the fence for me to get on his back. It was a really nice gesture and I gave him a carrot and rubbed him head while I watched Mom play with Charlotte.
We have been progressing alot lately, and Mom and I are both very excited about next Sunday! I can't believe that it is coming so fast, but NO COMPLAINTS!
~Eden