Review and New; Lesson 11

LESSON 11: Since we had some time off this week due to rain and even hail the goal for this evening was to review the groundwork exercises we have learned up to this point and refine them. Overall things went really well. Our Miss Annie is pretty darned athletic and quick minded! Because she lacks ground skill experience she does get revved up at times and it can take a little bit to get her to come back down. Granted it has only been ten days (or there about) and she has come a long way in both mental engagement and is conditioning but we do have some miles to go. Her round pen skills are tightening up and her Backing (all four methods), Lateral Flexion and Yielding Hindquarters Stage 1 is getting pretty! The review went quickly in the grand scheme of things and we were happy with her performance.

Then it was NEW EXERCISE time! We introduced Yielding Hindquarters Stage 2 which asks the horse to not only move their hind end away from you but to back up slightly and give you “two eyes” with some energy. We then moved into Lunge for Respect 2 which was energetic and finally the “of the Devil” Method exercise Yielding the Forequarters. Had to go through some ugly to get to the good but when we did it was really nice! Lots of rubbing and desensitizing and even a few cookies (I know, I know but she really did earn them)!

This horse is pretty special. Given her limited background one would think she would be difficult to work with but it really is the exact opposite. She tries pretty hard most of the time and at this point we feel she is doing pretty well! Tomorrow we are heading over to a new arena near home. Next week we are doing our weekly Spur of the Moment and then our road trip to Aqua Dulce, CA. for the first session of the newest Downunder Brumbie chapter! Life and reality have definitely shifted for our sweet girl!

Below are some pictures taken by Laurie Frohn of our gal in motion and at rest! Enjoy!