Jolena training log

I decided keep a training log for Jolena- who is pretty finished except for that lead change to the left. My goal is to get her broke and in the show pen.

I got a little messed up trying to change leads on a striaght line from arena corner to corner with her- I was doing good before the clinic getting her bridled up and changing in a slow circle- also I really got her hips broke loose and worked on countercantering squares. Also I moved the hips at a trott going from left to right- getting her use to the transition from side to side she did best when I worked on hip control and countercantering and didnt change often.

I got in trouble riding her forward from corner to corner and letting her come out of the bridle and speed up- I was trying to ride her strait and look up and move her forward but that doesnt work to good for me right now.

I need to remember to bait her going from corner to corner so when she speeds up I can stop her, pull her into the ground, say whoa and keep her listening and not speeding up. She's starting to think when we round the corner in the circle to speed up - need to remember not to panic but repeat stopping her when she speeds up corner to corner and give her a few days to get it instead of trying to make her perfect in one day, even if she picked up the bad habbit pretty quick- like in one day-

I changed her once today countercantering a sqauare- I changed her on the corner and she changed ok but lifted up but still stayed in control.

Also- in her stops she was getting stiff in the jaw and lifting up at the end but a day in the snaffle really concentrating on putting the head down helped that a bunch. It helped on both her and Sally to adress lowering the head and giving the chin- a lot- not just getting a little but really making them turn loose

Also- the get a lot better in the circle when I bridle them up as much as possible- making them really really give and turn loose - the chin and the poll and the withers as much as possible- then they know I mean buiseness and quit dropping shoulder in the circle.

Also they really seem to hyperventilate when stressed. They seem to catch theyre breath quick if you get off and tie them up or even when I led Jolena to the trailer and back- after unsaddling her- she caught her breath in a hurry. They are really getting fit or getting their mind on something else calms their nerves and they catch their breath- either fit or nerves.

Jolena does good if I get off or at least let her stand 5 minutes and gather her wits - then back to loaping a circle and seeing if she wants to go slow.--After that she will.

anyway- a guy needs to think- not just try to fit in someones program or do someones drill but to experiment and think and do what works best for him.