Dan T Dec 12

2011 Dec 12 HQ

Began with discussion of levels and importance of HQ:

1.      The levels 1-4 are for human: safety, respect, bonding, physical etc

2.      For the horse levels are respect, impulsion and flexion i.e. mental, emotional, and physical AND I will likely always be playing in all three tho as we progress more in the physical. Still, if mental i.e. dominance or emotional i.e. RBE reaction then can’t work on physical—have to go back to the mental or emotional.

3.      Stages: in the beginning the human uses reins in zone 1 for communication and progresses to using HQ for impulsion, engagement then back to zone 1 reins for refinement only.

Liberty in the paddock

1.      Started with 360s—I did not realize that Try moving her HQ when I asked for FQ was an escape or a defensive movement. So we played with concept of my asking for turn on the haunches with offensive step forward vs defensive step back.

2.      Then played with can I draw Try’s zone 1 to me without moving hind end.

3.      Then asked for 360 on the rail—Try left, circling game on for a long time as Try not willing to bond or check in with me. Then back to 360—I helped her by staying close—the third time she was able to do it with lighter cueing

Riding in the paddock

1.      Repeat of the above riding. Difficult for me to feel and Dan helped by moving fore quarters or stopping HQ from escaping. ??need to work this out??

2.      The GATE issue arose as we attempted to ride out of the paddock so game on. It really helped to have Dan coach as to timing/persistence/rest etc. Basically the second I felt the emotion or hurry come up we backed until Try relaxed then tried again. Perhaps 10 times until Try got it. Being able to stop and rest and think was key I believe—also using carrot stick and spurs, matching her energy plus 4 ounces.

Riding in the hilly pasture

1.      On Line: the gate and setting up in the ditch to mount like gate above. Note carrot stick in zone 1 to stop forward movement on the ditch.

2.      First worked on walking and then asking for an engaged HQ yield to a stop. (Can relax to a stop or engage to a stop.)

3.      Diagonal trot engaging Try’s HQ---required stick and big energy.

4.      Canter was often rough on the forehand—fast—stand in saddle. Part of my emotional fitness would be to follow up with really cantering fast and forward all over that pasture.

5.      Also we can trot covering distance and with shorter strides and remain engaged.

6.      Steady rein: it was helpful to me to think of it as a wall..