May 16 - long lining through feel, first ride w/no tack cues

I love that mare so much. I think I would keep her in my room with me if I could. I’m sure she could be housetrained.

Mostly we were connected except when Mom came in to watch and she/we/I got slightly distracted. Even so, I just kept her trotting and guided her around the indoor. She was constantly switching to track right, but I’d just nicely ask her to circle left again, and after a few minutes she reconnected with me.

I put on the BB for the first time since last summer and did UE2 with it some, which went fine, nothing great. I have long rope reins and did a lot of long lining (me at her girth), as much through feel/release as I could, though it’s a lot tougher than I thought. Single lining is easier through feel, probably because I’m used to it. Anyway, she was pretty energetic and rushed, but did listen enough to be able to turn and halt and walk. Our turning sometimes becomes leg yielding or SI, as does our go forward. For go forward, I touch and release off her side. For turn, I give and lightly vibrate (as in lots of quick releases directed up) the inside, while rubbing her shoulder groove with the outside rein. The reins are totally looped/slack. We’re still working out halt. It’s a release of the reins forward and down when possible, but if we’re too rushy and distracted, it’s a vibrate straight up (lifting her head/neck and thus stopping her). Overall it went well. I then asked for ramener by touching the looped reins (resting on her neck) with the whip, then her chest, then the reins, so she learns that on a looped rein.

I decided then to get on! She stepped over to the mounting block for me, I had my treat bag, and I got on. I had the BB on with the reins dropped on her neck, but never used them, although I thought I was going to. Instead, she was so incredible that I didn’t have to use them at all. She walked off from a release from my heels, she stopped dead when I did a seat cue, pressed her withers, and said “whoa” (she is very solid on a verbal whoa). I was so surprised she actually turned, too. I did a Cynthia Royal cue, touching the side of her neck and releasing my hand away lightly. She turned into the release (I'm actually not sure why it worked, but it certainly did :) ) as well as being supported by releases from my outside leg (I wonder if releasing from my inside would make better sense, though??). She did all this multiple times around the arena for several minutes. I was so happy!! This was the first ride with no tack (although it was on, we didn't use it).

My question, however, is how to get enthusiasm/consistency while riding without treats on me. It's very easy on the ground because they are just in a bucket and we go specifically to get them if she's been good, but I (almost) never have them on me, and she knows that very well. But riding, I can't get her treats out of a bucket on the ground... maybe I'll have to put a bucket up higher? That could work. But it's annoying if I'm in a place where I can't put a bucket.

And she wasn’t even upset about it, following me after I dismounted and stepping right over to the mounting block again when I got on it.

We also had fun playing, doing the recall game back and forth across the arena (running to a treat spot, giving her one, then racing away before she was done, and her chasing).