getting better....

I'm so excited each time I play with my partner Fiona. She's just mellowing so much from a RB freak to a thinking, participating partner! It's so fun! Two days ago we played in our Parelli Playground and she was calm going out there (first time no RB tendencies upon leaving the field) and when we got there she offered sideways a few times. I got on the pedestal after having invited her up there, and had her move her hindquarters all around the pedestal both ways. She did brilliantly. Eyes calm, blinking, just lovely.

We moved over the the tire and when she got there she was unsure so we backed up a few times, ended with her putting foot on tire (tractor tire with no dirt). I liked my friend Shelley's suggestion of leaving it open to put all feet in and pivot. so far we've not gotten that far but she will sniff and paw it and put one foot sort of in it. It 'grabbed' her foot and there was no freak out and hystronics like there would have been in the past. She did have her head come up a bit but quickly figured out how to lift her foot out. I was so proud of her!

Progressed to the little jumps. Did stick to me over the jumps (about 18 inches tall) and then some sideways (me out in front 15 feet-3 meters) and she did really well but going to the right her HQ lagged. But eyes very attentive on me and face soft, engaged. I told HQ to straighten up and they did. To the left it was pure poetry. Made me smile really big!

I am trying to be subtle with body language and this sensitive mare apprecaites that. She is amazingly soft and responsive.

Have worked on put your head down and working towards me mounting via her neck. Very good in that area. No problems there.

all games are very solid.

(just for my reference for later, you don't have to read this)
-Porcupine is phase 1 on left side, front. phase 2-3 on her right but HQ is phase 1-2. .

-Driving is phase 1 on all sides, front and back.

-yo yo phase 1 mostly on backing. Just starting out phase 3 to come to me....then later she comes way more easily.

--Falling leaf and S-bends are really nice and we always end with her getting a lovely look and coming in. Zone 1 used to be a problem (stiff) but now gives easily with no bracing.

-Friendly all over. No problem except: Front left ear is a problem. She doesnt' want me to touch inside her ear. I'm working on it. Loves being scratched all over, belly, between teats, massaged on legs. Massage tail. No prob.

-Circling--sometimes she does stop behind me or come in prematurely. Sometimes it is a perfect circle and we have done travelling circles with me kicking a barrel while she did perfect circles. needs a tiny bit of work.

--Squeeze is really great. She has a few moments with tight squeeze but we retreat and advance and it gets better very easily. nice.

Still have problems getting her OVER an object to jump unless it's small. I know this is squeeze at work and we'll keep at it.

hope you enjoyed this installment. more later!
on our Parelli Journey together, Fiona and me. Next will work some more on Pushing Passenger. That is my weakness. I've had some fear issues since a horrible broken ankle about sidelined my walking forever.

gotta do approach and retreat with myself, too, evidently.