When playing on Xena’s right side our Circling Game℠ is often panicky; our trotting weave pattern is uncontrolled; and our Parallel Walking game is crooked. Even when standing still, Xena will often use her head and neck to block me from moving towards her right side.

A few days ago, I finally saw the ‘right side’ theme in all our games, and realized that Xena is generally unconfident when I’m on her right side.

The Parelli™ program teaches that a horse should be trained from the ground on both sides, not just the traditional left side. Xena has had very little handling during her 16 years. Perhaps she’s not used to having someone equally on her left and right, or perhaps she’s just nervous now that our games are more challenging.

I’ve decided that for the next month, I’ll train her right side 60% of the time, and her left side 40%. I’ll also concentrate on using a longer phase one on her right, to give her more time to understand what I’m asking. And, I’ll use approach and retreat before stepping up to her right side, such as during grooming or affection. I’m not sure if this is the correct solution, but I’ll try it for a while and see if she becomes more confident on the right.

Related Posts:
Calmer on the Right – January 26/10

Circling Game℠ is a service mark, and Parelli™ is a trademark of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc.

When Xena and I walk together, she will often lag behind by one or two paces. She stays beside me, but I have to turn my head to see her. I haven’t corrected her for this, because it wasn’t really a problem — until now.

Photo by Angela     

I’d like to teach Xena to trot in hand; something she is unable to do without panicking and running wildly. So with that as my goal, my first objective is to not be trampled by a frightened horse. My second objective is for Xena to understand I’m not chasing her.

I’ve created the Parallel Walking Game as a foundation, because I’ll use the same method when I eventually teach her to trot. I’m making this up as I go, so it’s subject to change!

My plan is to:

• Use the Driving Game℠ to maintain a distance of 10 feet between us, so that we’re walking parallel. When I eventually teach her to trot, it will also be with 10 feet between us.

• Ask Xena to keep pace with me, so that her shoulder and my body are in line. I’ll strive to be persistent, without being too particular.

• Play the game along the center line, rather than the rail. The center line will give her space to move freely, which we’ll need when we begin trotting. I’ve seen what happens when she panics and finds herself facing a wall; it isn’t pretty.

• Walk the length of the arena 6 times per session so that Xena will begin to recognize the pattern. At A and C I’ll ask her to walk a semi-circle around me, while I remain stationary (Circling Game℠).

I volunteered for a year at a therapeutic riding school, which involved a lot of trotting in hand. When running beside a trotting horse, it’s easy to become jostled and drawn into the path of the horse’s shoulder; either because the horse or human drifted into the other’s space or because the lead rope was held too short. There’s a real risk of being bumped, kicked or tripped.

It will be much safer to have 10 feet of rope between Xena and I.

Driving Game℠ and Circling Game℠ are service marks of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc.

As Xena became a bit more tolerant with being touched, the Car Wash Mitt game evolved into the Grounded Rider game. Both games focus on touch, with trust as the underlying theme; both are interpretations of the Friendly Game℠.

Xena was uncomfortable with me being beside her. If I attempted to approach her shoulder or barrel, she’d evade me by moving sideways or backwards, even if I walked backwards to do so. I created the Grounded Rider game to build her tolerance and to mimic the position of a rider on her back.*

I began by softly resting my hand on her shoulder. If she moved her feet, I’d keep my hand in position, removing it only when she stopped moving. Sometimes, my hand rested on her for only a moment.

We progressed very slowly, over a period of many weeks. Gradually she allowed me to rest my hand on her withers and back. In time I could drape my arm over her back, just as a saddle may do someday.

Later I could lean against her barrel, imitating the rider’s legs. And then one day, she allowed me to rest my head on her withers; the ultimate position of an attacking predator. This was a difficult game for Xena. As I began to understand the depth of her distrust and dislike of human contact, the game simply became a barometer of her trust in me.

Update August 2009 – Xena has become very affectionate, and it’s amazing to look back and remember she was once untouchable. Occasionally we’ll still play Grounded Rider in her stall, where I’ll rest my arms and head on her withers while she calmly eats her hay.

* Xena was ridden a couple of years ago by professional trainers, although she never became comfortable with close human contact.
Friendly Game℠ is a service mark of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc.