The Not-Thing

 In my last post about Quaid I was writing about how I've started to 'test' him on things.  Really, the idea is to expose him to things that are unexpected and/or worrying and showing him how to work through it.  

It started with me not following the same routine every time I ride but mixing it up. From there I moved on to adding some strange things around the ring.  I pulled don the principles I learned with the TRT Method. The idea is to introduce small things and show the horse how to be relaxed around them. It's not about throwing all the things at once (flooding). This just results in a horse that shuts down and that is not safe on any level. Because at some point there will always be something scary enough to pierce through the shell. 

I brought up an old horse blanket and threw it over the railing. The first time I put it there he was really snorty about it. I started with lunging and ground work. The idea was to get him to focus on me and to learn that the blanket is just there and, even when if flaps in the wind, we have the tools to deal.  

this is suspicious

Once he seemed okay I mounted and began my ride. My goal was to keep him focussed on my asks and for me to completely ignore the blanket. It was fine if he acknowledged it but I wasn't going to make it a thing. I learned that the hard way with Carmen. She would worry about something, then I would worry about it too because of how she'd react. Then we were both really worried about it and, surprisingly, it became even more of a thing. 

It really didn't take long for him to be fine with it. Then every so many days I'd move it. It was interesting, because the first time I moved it he went right past it without a blink but on the other side of the ring he was really worried. I simply used the 10 metre circle, nose-follows-the-toes exercises Jane taught us. In minutes he was like, okay, I'm fine. 

I love this because he has complete freedom 
to leave but chooses to stay. 

The first time I rode Carmen she looked at it and was like oh, this again. (I did this a lot with her) and totally ignored it. 

Then last week I had a lesson with Jane. We moved the blanket to hang over the cavalettis outside the ring so her dog, Dottie, could have shade. Dottie, of course, totally ignored it. But so did Quaid. It was a great lesson.  Jane really honed in on my elbows and pushing him to step under without flailing the front legs. 

Here's some of our trot work. I was really happy with how much better we're getting: 

My leaning is getting better. So, yay. He did give one spook (not at the blanket) and we just regrouped and carried on. Again it was not made to be a thing, just a blip and we carried on. We did a lot of canter. With me sitting up more I am so much more balanced at the canter even when he's not. I did struggle a bit with the sitting trot right before the canter. I tended to tighten my seat which resulted in him dropping to walk. whomp. What can I say? Riding is hard. 

trying to not burn out on the corner, but not pull, 
while sitting up and staying balanced. 

Like I said the lesson was fantastic. Good progress and some homework. 

Interestingly, the next time I rode Quaid (after a day off) he was really worried about the blanket (I had left it on the cavellettis).  He started to do the prop to a halt and try to duck away.  Instead of being disappointed, I welcomed the opportunity to work on this at home. I sat up, encouraged him to bend and go forward. 

Quaid: oh my god, it's a monster, we must flee

Me: it's fine. Hey, we lost bend, let's fix it. 

Quaid: HOW DO YOU NOT SEE THAT? 

Me: Hey buddy we need some flexion and to trot forward. 

Quaid: nope, nope, nope. 

Me: we can do it. 

Quaid: *gulp* okay, I'll try

Me: you are the bravest pony that ever was

Quaid:  I am aren't I? 

Today I rode him and it was totally not a thing. Which was funny because yesterday Carmen was pretty convinced it was a big thing and she wasn't having it. But I just did the same thing with probably higher expectations, because, come on. 

Next weekend we have our second show. Like before we have the skills we need to lay a solid test. But even more importantly, we have some new things in our tool belt. Or should I say some 'not-things'. 

Either way we'll go and deal and it will be a great learning experience. Because learning to be brave is a series of small steps and building confidence. 

Quaid, the brave little toaster