Trotting Out Claire

Today I only worked Claire. Here is what I did today.

Claire:

1. I saddled Claire this morning and didn't lunge or work her in the round pen at all before I rode her. She was calm as usual but stepped back a little when I started to put the saddle on her. I checked her over and then proceeded to finish saddling. I flexed her for about 3 minutes, several times after I got on her. I read from someone this is a good idea to do when you first get on, so they don't get used to taking off. After that we rode around with me asking for the 'baby give' several times from my John Lyons reading. We did several turns and and I worked with her moving her hindquarters over some more today. I would ask for her head and flex her nose over to my boot, and then when her feet stopped moving, I would ask for her hindquarters to move over. She did much better today, but to help move them more quickly, I had a leather strap, that I gently slapped against her flank to reinforce my foot aid. We trotted quite a bit, and she only wanted to stop once, but I nudged her to keep her going and then stopped and got off her in the scary part of the arena. We walked over trot poles and trotted about 6 lengths of arena. This is the most she has trotted so far. I would say I rode her about 20 minutes. She did great and I am working on getting her to lower her head by just picking up one rein and giving pressure until she drops her nose. It is sometimes confusing to her because she wants to flex around, turn or back. We are working on it.

2. I unsaddled her and then went back to the arena for some lunge line work. I took some treats to reward her for her canter work. I am little worried that her right knee is bothering her as she does not want to pick up the right lead and the vet said she had a two small bone spurs on her knee from an earlier injury that I was not aware of it. We found this out when we had her knees x-rayed to see if they were closed. It could have happened as a weanling. When she picked up the canter departure, I let her go a few strides and then stopped her and brought her in for a treat. I did it several times in both directions and she improved dramatically after the treats. To the right she did give a refusal and I immediately backed her up hard and let her stay out and think about it. No treat. After that she did much better and I rewarded her again with praise and a rub-- no treat. I actually lost the last treat in the arena sand.

3. I put the tarp on her and let her walk around with it flapping. I completely covered her and I tried to cover her eyes but she got a little nervous. I retreated and will work on this tomorrow.

Just as a note, my clicker training books have arrived and I am really studying them. I believe I will use clicker training to help get more of the behavior that I want. I am waiting for the clickers and I am exicted to use this method in addition to the John Lyons method I am already using.

Claire was a dream today and behaved beautifully under saddle despite the dogs fighting/playing in the arena while we were riding.

Happy July 4th!