How far we've come...

Some of my early training journal entries in 2010:

January 6th
"I'm having trouble with the RED MARE... I often feel out of control and I'm bored with our setting.  New a new venue!  I also need to be softer, smoother, and faster!  Contacted Dr. Joy Baker today."
  
Back then Tilly traveled with her left jaw bone jutting out.  She was twisting from her poll, but not just bringing her nose off center!  It was weird looking and i knew she was uncomfortable because she responded enthusiastically to my rudimentary massage right behind her ears.... i think this was how I was finally able to make contact with her actual ears!  Did I mention that those weren't to be touched (according to TNT!).


January 13th
"Long lines today!  Good decision for sure!  I was lacking control on the lunge and that was bleeding into our saddle time - no mas!  Sooo... we worked over caveletti - she tried to bulge and then surge... I think she got the message after 40 minutes... Finally a good girl!"

January 14th
"Long line!!"  took one whole hour just to get her moving forward at the walk... this horse is crazy.  KEEP TRYING!"

Long lined exclusively over the next 2 weeks.

January 26th
"Pretty good... lots of rearing, we we got over ALL caveletti by the end of a 45 min workout."

I remember that caveletti were one of the ways I was able to encourage Tilly to play with me ;P  She really enjoyed hoping over stuff then, so as long as jump was in front of her, she would proceed.

January 29th
"still fighting"

haha!  short entry... guess it was a tough day!  Next entry was commenting on the fact that she wouldn't let me catch her... siigh!


February 3rd
"ok!  Tilly and I are communicating again!  I had a realization after our last exercise.  She kept stopping and standing stock still.  I wasn't sure what she was thinking, but i realized she needed a reprieve.. a mental break.  So instead of making her move forward, every time she stopped, I walked up and gave her a pet. YEESSSSS!  Just what she wanted!  She softened her jaw and neck and listened when I wanted her to halt or slow.  she even salivated more!!  She needed LOVE!"

i think i fell in love with Tilly on this day.  She reminded me that when life is extremely challenging, a little love will go a long way.

February 4th
"Whenever I could tell that Tilly wanted to rear, I was able to get her to halt... result of increased lovin'!!  She is thinking  "wait or halt' before  "take off!"  Even got a canter/ halt transition!"

February 7th
"Sooo good today!!  Rode her for the first time in a long time.  NO bucking! :)  not the best connection but she relaxed over the course of the ride.  She responded to half halts from my seat and NEVER once took off!"

February 23
"She is a long and arduous ride. But I still enjoy her!  Just need to remain patient when she is SO heavy in the bridle.  She is requiring so much support from my hand right now... not sure if I should use draw reins ro neck stretchers... is that going to rush her through this important process?  Sure, it's hard to hold her, but maybe i need to just ride through it.. Also need to work the half halts with the gymnastic exercises!  She responds well to this!  I need to improve my timing..."

I love reading through these entries!  So much has changed!  I forget how far we've come! 

Here is a recent entry:
April 8th 2011:
"Awesome Ride!!  She started out quiet and almost sleepy!?  Stood quietly in the cross ties and just walked out to the big field (usually wants to gallop there!).  about 20 mins into a casual warmup - she WOKE UP and wanted to GO!  She was strong in the connection and UP in front.  It was out of control and I wasn't sure what we were going to produce in the lesson with Laura!  Very Exciting!!!  After a little softening left and right and trot/ canter transitions - she was right with me!  I loved that my seat controlled her activity... when i softened my seat she gave me MORE impulsion!  Half passes are great!  Our medium trot is really getting super!!"