January and the holidays are over for another year, thank goodness, and life gets back to normal. I did nothing with Lucie over the break so really lost the connection with her. I couldn't wait to get started again last week, but of course she sulked because she had been ignored for 10 days. Can't blame her; but once more, we start over. Last week was just some walks out, and the weather was foul.
This week we have sunshine, and she's waiting at the gate in the morning, keen to come out, which is great.
She is very stiff at first, I am not sure if the bone spavin is still causing pain, or if it's just discomfort and joint stiffness. It wears off once she's walking, and she is happy to trot. As we go for our walks, I'm including some gymnastizing exercises, like shoulder in and sideways.
I am improving in my body language and energy control; taking things really slowly is paying off too.
The grazing is still an issue but one I feel we have to work around.
Today we went in the arena and she was ready to argue and be defensive, but I didn't give her anything to take offence at. I was quiet, firm and gentle. There was a bit of tail-swishing and biting and other avoidance behaviour, but not extreme, just testing how I would react. I didn't, so it went away.
I took some video which shows these avoidance tactics. I am pleased with how I dealt with them. If I can master my own tendancy to over-react, we may finally get back on track.
After the arena, I took her into the roundpen. Unfortunately it is full of grass. I just do not want to get into a fight. I let her off the lead rope, and I walked around her. As before, when I sat on my box while she was grazing, I could see that she was aware of me. At first, wary and jumpy. I did some approach & retreat until I could touch her (friendly game). Then still walking around, approach & retreat but intense & slow to her hindquarters; as soon as she showed any sign of yielding and/or turning towards me, I straightened up and turned away and walked off. There was definitely a tendancy towards me but I didn't push it, just took what she offered as the main purpose at present is to convince her I am not going to aggress her or make her; I am seeking that it comes from her.
Consequently, when I asked her to leave the roundpen with me, there was no resistance. So I consider it a constructive morning.
One thing I notice is how she rushes through a movement; if I ask for a yield, whether to actual pressure or implied pressure, first she resists, looks for ways to evade by blocking, backing, looking at invisible somethings in the distance or not moving at all. By maintaining the pressure and a long slow ask, she'll then rush through the movement crossly. So I'll get a full turn when I asked for a step! Without being critical, I am working on breaking this down (into one step at a time) in order to rebuild, hopefully with better understanding and confidence. I am rewarded in seeing a better look on her face and less ears back.
A good morning. I hope I can keep it up.
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