Forward!

Dodge did SO much better yesterday! The barn owner suggested on Monday that I need to start the training in the field as opposed to once I get out. Dodge got the chain the second I haltered her and I was there to do business at that point, not be her friend. I then practiced walking her out of the barn then back in the barn, out of the barn, back in the barn. Ever so slowly increasing the distance and direction I was going with her. If we stopped and she stood for me, then I would take her back into the barn.

She was CALM. There are still some kinks to be worked out, it's not over yet, but I have such a better feeling about tonight that I can hardly describe it in words.

Relief? That sounds about right. Once we were in the barn we practiced "back" alot. I also stole an idea from Mugwump and started giving her pressure. I would ask for "right" and put my thumb on her side. 1,2,3 training method and after about the third time of hard pressing into her side she would just start passing to the right upon my thumb being there. This action had a two-fold reaction from Dodge. 1.) She started moving to the right 2.) She stayed out of my space the entire time

That's right people, she didn't try to run me over!!!!

She also started to anticipate the chain. I think I've gotten good at popping her with it and releasing. The barn owner made the comment to follow her head and give her short quick pops. I think I have got it with a few kinks left in it. When we were walking away Dodge would start to move faster and when she got so far ahead she would throw her head up and slow down. I hadn't even popped her yet but she was understanding what the action would be for her moving so far ahead.

I call this progress. Today's lesson is going to be a repeat of yesterday's lesson. My sweet sweet Dodge is coming back to me! I think. I could go out today and have Mrs. Nutface on my hands again.

If she is doing this well by Saturday next week I may start trying to tie her again. I want to be able to get her up to the far gate today and out to the far hay barn storage today. Then tomm push her to the owners house and then past the far gate. Then on Saturday start trying to get her tied to the hitching post again. I probably won't introduce a saddle for a while from now, but I want to be able to groom her again.

She is so freaking smart, thats what I love about her! She has a response to everything I do and picks up on every freaking thing.