The Revival of Inspiration

I mentioned in my previous post that I've been regaining my inspiration and desire to play with my horse(s) this past summer.  I've been pondering somewhat as to why.  Partly it was, I think, because I just spent so much energy and had so much doubt I needed a break.  So I took my break, and all the while, all those feelings were still there, just rebuilding themselves to be strong again.

And then there's clinics!  If you want an instant savvy up, they are the way to go.  At the beginning of June, we had 1* instructor Mollie Robbins come and give lessons.  That day I had a lovely LB horse and was reminded that horses can be FUN!  Then, at the end of June me and my friend, Jessie, took our horses to a level 2/3 clinic with 3* instructor Tina Giordano.  The first day, my horse showed his RBI side.  I was simmering angrily while I waited, doing pretty much nothing, for three hours while he would come in an out of his introverted state.  But the next day proved how important that had been, because Cal was much more trusting and a more confident partner.

Two weeks ago, now, Tina Giordano came and gave private lessons and did a couple workshops at my farm.  That weekend resulted in so many new insights on old things.  "Play with the horse that shows up."  Of course, we all say.  Well, I'm pleased to say that Tina saw the many different sides to Cal, and I feel good knowing that I haven't been imagining that he's somewhat complicated.  And it just drilled into me, I have to constantly read my horse and adjust my playing for the horse at the end of the rope.  Common sense, but there you have.  Focus, focus, focus...another huge thing I discovered I was lacking.  The weekend ended with me having so many new stragegies as to what to do with Cal.

Since then:
October 21, 2009
One of the most amazing sessions I've ever had with my horse.  In all honesty, it had very little to do with the actual tasks we were doing (though I did have some breakthroughs there).  The reason the session was so mind-blowing and wonderful was because I felt like Cal and I were really connected.  I was so with him I could see when he was drifting away and losing connection, and I knew exactly what I needed to do to get him back!  Even better, he would lick and chew immediately, the connection would return even stronger...I almost felt as if he was telling me, "Thanks so much for watching out for me!"

October 22, 2009
As things then go, I made certain assumptions about my horse.  He woke up feeling RBE and I ignored thresholds (after all, my horse was so amazing yesterday).  It was a dreadfully unsuccessful session in which I just pestered him into doing tasks and dealt very poorly with his fear.

October 23, 2009
I went out determined that I would not push him beyond what he could handle.  Perhaps because I had lost his trust because I ignored his fears yesterday, he was extremely RBI.  I spent three hours in which I mostly stood, waiting for him to acknowledge the fact that I existed.  All the while debating, "Is this really necessary?"  But I think it was.  He was so nonexistant, that my extremely obedient horse was ignoring me.  Not out of defiance, but because he hardly realized I was there.

October 24, 2009
Proof that I did the right thing yesterday...The horse that greeted me today was amazing LBI.  Unmotivated, pushy, food-motivated.  I just went out to see him and played a little of the first three games at liberty.  Thank goodness for treats.  Longer session to come later today...