The Continuing of the Post-Camp Writings

I am sorry for not finishing my post about my Harry Whitney week. I was fried and felt that people should at least get a little taste of what I've learned. But I'm back to finish writing about Friday, Saturday, and a couple other tidbits.

Friday was another big day for Woody because we had a refresher of the day before's session (I had to get big a couple of time's to get him to change that thought). But before I knew it he was soft and light as a feather, and utterly and completely paying attention (woohoo!). I hopped on and rode in the arena (Lauren was riding her horse Dixie with us working on lightening his forehand). Harry told me (or reminded me) that Woody was the type who saw no purpose to endless arena work. So, he had me pick a post, and ride to it in the biggest trot I could manage, stop, and rest. By the second time Woody was cantering to the post and stopping and waiting. I was also riding on a loose rein which really helped Woody free up in the canter and really allowed me to let go of my trust/control issues created from past experiences. I began to ride around with a flag at all three gaits just to be sure that Woody wouldn't be bothered with the flapping, and Harry suggested we ride out into the huge pasture outside the arena, but with a few rules: if the other three horses in the pasture start galloping off I couldn't run after them (drat! just kidding! I am NOT interested in riding a stampede, thank you!). So we went all over and Woody was really perky. We walked, trotted, and cantered all over, up and down hills, and if the horses ventured too close, I would flag em off. It was great fun and Woody and I had a blast. Harry pointed out that Woody needs variety and purpose (two things I already knew but sometimes forget to exercise). Ronnie made a point to keep changing things up with Woody (where we rode, what we practiced, what tools and toys we used, what equipment he wore, etc.) so that Woody wouldn't become bored or unresponsive.

Saturday was the climax of all the progress I made with Woody. On top of that, this was the day that Terri and her husband came to audit and they learned a lot. Whats more is that it sounds like they went home and applied some of the knowledge, which is more than I did when I went to audit my first day of Harry. To read about it go to...
http://livingwaterfarm.blogspot.com/
Anyways, I got him out of the pasture and he seemed different. I tied him to the trailer, brushed him, tacked him up, and took him to the arena. He stayed with me the whole time and was really connected. I got up there, and started working on his back up, come forward, and circle. He did what I asked, with energy, and responsiveness. I thought, why keep working if its already where I want it to be? Lets ride! I went to put the side pull on and he put his head up. I put it on, worked with him a bit more with it on, then took it off and put it back on... he did fine. We rode some, with Lauren again, and he gave me all three gaits energetically on a loose rein.
I explained to Harry that we had had some problems jumping in the past, so a couple of really great people brought up some poles for me to use. Lauren and I took turns going over the poles, which Wody did fine. Then Harry made a cross rail and, thankfully, Woody stopped at it. I say thankfully because we got to address the problem so I knew what to do about it.
I tried trotting over it a couple more times, but he kept stopping. So, Harry used Woody's own natural ability to follow things to his advantage. We followed Lauren over the jump at a trot and a canter, and guess what? He jumped it! Then, Harry took Lauren away and told me to follow her and invision her over the jump, and he jumped!! The key is: an INCREDIBLE amount of focus.
Tom Moates also rode with me in that session, and it was really cool to be able to hang out, watch, and learn from him after reading his two books.
Harry then set Lauren and I up a challenge of direction and focus. We had to ride between (kind of weave) through poles and then through a set of chairs. Once we got the direction going, he asked us to turn around them by leg yeilding rather than directing the nose. I have never done that with Woody, but he and I did really well. Harry explained the difference in body positions when some people lean exaggerated and when you simply lift the shoulders over and place them sideways with the reins and legs. It was really neat to see the difference.
Following that exercise Harry released me into the great wide open again and we rode all over. Then Lauren came out and joined me walking around. We went down this big hill, and at the bottom she explained her horse sometimes had issues with riding alone. So, she asked if she could ride up the hill alone, to which I replied, "Sure!" After she was up I asked Woody to go fast up the hill, and man, did he go FAST. That was the fasted I've been on him and it was SO fun. All in all that day was really good for Woody and I in regards to our lesson with Ronnie and Harry.

I will update again later regarding the trailering adventure, what I've been up to since Harry camp, my time with Terrie on Sunday, and, of course, I will be posted a LOT Of pictures from camp. Until then!
~Eden