forgot!!!

to write up Janines lesson from last Monday.... so much to think about!
Janine was happy to tie in with the plan that Cathy had set the day before, could job they know each other, although Janine said the circles were for me not Tia! to be honest I know my confidence is half the battle so if circles are working why fix it? I do understand that using obstacles is what's going to help Tia become more obedient in the long run.
We started doing whatever we wanted to warm up before doing touch all over then foot placement. Squeeze through the tyres, asking her to stop with different zones next to the tyres, the further away I was the more Tia didn't want to stop, dominance I think but not sure. Sideways was good, Janine was really pleased when Tia came away from the fence, rearing up and trying to avoid the task, and I didn't loose my focus Yay! Sideways in front of a pole was more challenging but we managed it in a fashion! sideways over the tyres wasn't happening, we'll have to work on that one.
Trailer loading was great, Janine thinks Tia is nearly ready to go somewhere. When we shut the back door Tia lost some confidence but she did stay in there.
That's a bit short for a 3 hour lesson... I'll write up more as and when I remember things.

One bad day...

Well this week has been going very well, undemanding time first then circles with an obstacle, sideways against a fence, squeeze and foot placement. But today Tia didn't want to play, she would come to me but every time I tried to put my arm over her neck she backed away. Now I know I could have got the halter on but I'm trying to keep a promise to Cathy to halter with excellence every time, and I know she wasn't giving me permission. I sent her away to play catching game but the ground was so slippery, she was sliding all over the place, quickly gave up on that one! Decided to leave her for the day.
I've been trying to work out if I gave in too easily, or was I not feeling up to dealing with how dominant she would be???? not sure and I decided not to beat myself up about it. Whats one bad day compared to a good week.

Confidence

Well after all the snow, rain and wind we finally got out to play. My confidence was low and Tia has been very dominant for a while now, so that is what we set out to sort today with Cathys help.
With Janines lesson tomorrow I knew I had to get to grips with my lack of confidence as she always asks us to touch our horses all over first, then place all 4 feet... I would rather play with Tia before I attempt any of that so Cathy and I played with circles and porcupine to help Tia overcome her need to defend her space. Very interesting that she quickly relaxed into circles and it was so easy for me to recognise! Porcupine was so good after that as well, on her left side... more circles then I could touch her right side as well. In the afternoon session we had the saddle on, but unfortunately it started to rain... again. But still a great day :0)
We made a 13 week plan of everything we need to do to be riding at Easter, so no need to think about it now, it's there in black and white.