Whew...and yeah!

Well I've worked with Indy more and I am fairly certain he is innately LBI, but very easily slips into RBE when he feels unconfident or trapped. I learned that the hard way. Well, they don't call it the "learn burn" for nothing! I've certainly learned something! Our last session I wasn't feeling well, and couldn't sum up enough energy in my body for myself, let alone a horse! So we spent a lot of undemanding time, just with me sitting on a barrel and Indy standing by me. I really started to feel that relationship budding, though. Indy yawned a LOT during our session, and got this safe, contented look on his face. At least he is feeling comfortable enough to release the tension that builds up. He is going to be a challenge for me-but I knew that, and I wanted that. I just have to keep reminding myself of all the savvy information I need to follow!

With Diamond, yesterdays play session on line sucked( he wasn't motivated at all for some reason, which I couldn't figure out...so I got frustrated and decided to skip most of the on line we ususally do), but freestyle...wow, he was AMAZING. So much energy and forward movement! Positive expression, willing, up for anything... And then today I did a lot at liberty with him, and that went wonderfully. We had our best Stick To Me ever, and I actually got him to go in a sort of half circle/loopy shape around me before he stopped with an "Okay I tried, don't ask me for more" look on his face. I let him come back to me for treat, treat, treat TREAT! Sending him out has always been really difficult, as once he gets out there, with no ropes connecting, he loses interest and decides to go nibble on grass, or wander over to the gate. Our liberty session took up most of our time, so online we just practiced the Figure Eight pattern some. He is getting better at it, slowly but surely. I still don't understand how at one time we were trotting/cantering through it, and now we have trouble walking through it...but I'm learning more every day, so hopefully it won't happen again!