Nova—One Week here

Nova and Wyatt like each other.

    One week after Nova's arrival I notice improvements in her willingness (connection with me), bend-ability and understanding of my body language. I also notice some useful things from her previous training. 

Willingness (connection with me): She is much less pushy with her shoulders, but some of this still remains. I can walk beside her and can easily position her (away from me and at my side) without using the wand or extra pressure with my hand on her neck, about 50 percent of the time—compared with 100 percent when she arrived. To achieve this I kept my hand on her body while walking beside her, with varying degrees of pressure into the shoulder delineation groove and along her entire mid-line. Tapping her shoulders and hindquarters with the wand showed her where my space is and where I want her to be. Today she watches for my signals, her eyes are softer and she often looks at me and my tools with relaxed curiosity. She still walks away when she sees the halter and the saddle. To improve this I show her an enjoyable time with each training session to grow her heart and desire to be with me and to engage the work.

    She is less pushy in the proximity of food now, but I keep a close eye on her. She has established her dominance over Wyatt (quarter horse) and can keep herself safe from donMiguel's aggressions (a dominant horse). 

Bend-ability: She is more bend-able through her entire body in both directions as a result of daily (and sometimes twice daily) sessions of Connected Groundwork. Now that she is less pushy and dragg-y I can walk S's and squares with her to increase the range of diagonal movement of her hind legs, and increase her whole-body bend-ability. In addition, a Four Corner's exercise is teaching her to lift her shoulders as she bends through her body into connection while going from halt to walk.

Understanding: Her understanding of everything I ask of her has improved, because she is more relaxed here, knows my signals and is more willing to try what I ask of her. Backing up was very sticky in the beginning but is improved now. She understands that I will not hurt her nor will I let her hurt me, and that she will be thoughtful and will not be over-worked at any time. Halting while under saddle continues to be a work in process. 

Previous training:  She understands how to take connection with the cavesson/reins while being long lined. She shows no fear of being ridden at the walk, and she listens to the Connected Halter when it is being used as a bit-less bridle.