The reason I haven't lost the baby weight from my boys, is because I give up if I don't see results quickly. Lately I have been getting frustrated with myself because I don't see big changes in Izzy, not super noticeable anyway...but I keep at it so I can reach my goal. Today when I went to the barn Chevy and Izzy were checked by a natural farrier, not to get anything done, just to see how her feet looked. She was very pleasant with her front feet, and I told him that she had some issues with holding her back feet up. He looked at her back end and looked at me and said "when you pick up her back legs do you hold them out or straight back?" and I told him that's what I was always taught. He said "well that's your problem, she is cow hocked and it hurts her to have her leg out or straight back." Well I was intrigued, I ask well then what should I do? I picked up her back right leg and held it up crossed over her left hock. Izzy just stood there so pleasantly. Now I know :)
Chevy and Izzy were turned out together to play while we cleaned the stalls. When it came time to bring them in they both came to the gate and were put on lead line with no problem. Chevy danced circles but not out of fear it was more, "you cant make me go back to the barn...and I have no respect for the human that is being dragged on the end of the rope". Izzy walked out slow and calm, which is different that what she normally does. She was doing great till she lost focus on me and thought the golfing benefit event down the drive was going to kill her. So I used her nervous right brain energy and had her go in any direction but straight ahead. We went sideways without a fence (Level 2) yo-yo'd back and forth, drove the hindquarters and front quarters around. Pretty much every game but the circling game, which would have NOT helped her relax and think. Once she settled down I tried to take her back to the barn but she would not go over the wood edging around the grass. So instead of forcing over it, I made it into a squeeze game. I would first lift the rope and point in the direction that she should go, then I would wiggle the other end of the rope by her but asking her to move forward, since she still didn't move I would swing the end of the rope at her butt and then "allow" her the chance to figure it out for her self. It only took three of these steps before she walked over the log and down to the pavement. When we got inside I didn't want her just to go to the stall so we played the touch it game. That is where I stay in zone 2 (neck/shoulder) and drive her to objects that I choose. Once she was going in the right direction I would wait till she puts her nose on it, stop and rub her. The first time we did it she walked up to the object and got near it but didn't touch it, she would just look at me like what? what the hell am I supposed to do? After doing a few times she would go up to it put her nose on it and look at me to see my reaction.
Rome wasn't built in a day and my horse isn't going to be a 4th level Dressage horse anytime soon. But I'm not giving up on her and she is making progress.
I bought all the parelli home study materials (1&2) and equipment when I was working with Chevy. Well they equipment is staying with her for my grandmother to use. It was becoming a hassle sharing it, especially if we want to have both horses out at the same time. So today we placed an order for the patterns complete kit. I am getting a halter, 12ft line, 22ft line, 45ft line, carrot stick and string,hackamore, Cradle bridle and C1 myler parelli bit, finesse reins, success series DVD's and Parelli Patterns! Cost a little over $1000.00 and that is with my club discount that saved me $998.00. But it will be worth it. Thank you Barbara. :)
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