Jade: Groundwork Padawan

Today we're updating about Jade AKA Sexy Black Horse, SBH and the like.

We worked in the round pen last week and she was doing well with respecting me and going forward so I went back to the Schiller video lair and reviewed some more videos.  When I worked Arthur, I focused on a series that was about a nutjob like him and that worked great.  Jade's not a nutjob, just a bit lazy and spoiled so I opted to watch a different series and see what I can gather from this one. 

This was the "Andalusian" series which I'd perused before but not really dissected it down looking for things.  I did that this past week and decided I would swap to more "on line" things with Miss Jade.  We worked on disengaging, turning in (something that was horrible that last round pen session omg), and general leading manners again.  Naturally combos of the above as well.  We ended the week on respecting my space while walking around me (sort of lunging) and on Sunday we did some fence work.  If we recall, fence work is not my strong point but it turns out Jade LOVES fence work so she was happily leaning up against the fence to get rubbed and sat on.

Considering the one other time I tried to sit on her bareback she got all balky, I thought this was awesome!

The hardest part was her standing still as she REALLY, REALLY liked me on her bareback and all the scratches and rubbing.  We've also been working on lateral flexing which she was actually already good at so I think combined with the disengaging going well, we'll move towards saddle exercises in the arena/open area and One Rein Stopping/straightness type things.  I'm debating the first ride in the round pen or not (probably not) and western saddle or not (probably?)

That's about it but its been so nice seeing her fly through these lessons and become more of the horse that I like to have around.