​The challenge: Passing Through a Curtain (4:35)
Jalila and I took the 20-day challenge for February but only got in 5 sessions. The weather was awful and footing solid ice. Still, her progress was remarkable.
I didn’t expect issues passing under the archway because, as you can see in the background of the video, my gates are the bow-style and have a top bar for support.
Our February 11th session puzzled me.  Life is a game for Jalila and when she doesn’t step up to play, something is wrong. That day, she was not her usual brave and engaged self. I didn’t see it in real time but in the video, it looks like her feet are sore, which could be due to her insulin resistance and/or walking on solid ice for a month.
One of my biggest takeaways from this challenge was seeing how cumulative the CT despooking exercises are. Remember the sessions with the ghost? I’m sure they contributed to the ready acceptance of these streamers.
The last segment of the video was taken on our fifth and final day, March 2. I had no intention of asking Jalila to pass through the curtain since it was only the second presentation of flowing streamers. You can hear my surprise and how pleased I was. We did our early spring groom before filming. So beautiful!
I couldn’t turn her loose because we were not in an enclosure, and, though while working, I feel like I keep the rope slack, I see in the video that It could be loser.
This work is to be continued!

​The challenge: Passing Through a Curtain (4:59)
Shiraz and I took the 20-day challenge for February but only got in 5 sessions. The weather was awful and footing solid ice. Shiraz’s bravery stunned me.
I didn’t expect issues passing under the archway because, as you can see in the background of the video, my gates are the bow-style and have a top bar for support.
One of my biggest takeaways from this challenge was seeing how cumulative the CT despooking exercises are. Remember the sessions with the ghost? Shiraz was timid and fearful and clearly only touched that thing because she wanted to please me (and get her reward). I’m sure the ghost despooking sessions contributed to her casual acceptance of these streamers.
As with Jalila, on March 2, I had no intention of asking Shiraz to pass through the curtain, and you can hear my reaction. We did our early spring groom before filming. So beautiful!
I couldn’t turn her loose because we were not in an enclosure, but this work is to be continued!

​2019 was a great year for me and the girls, Jalila and Shiraz. The no pressure, what-can-we-do-today approach to working together proved rewarding, treats for them, happiness for me. Shiraz’s confidence has increased to a point of near bravery, and Jalila remains a delightful force in my life.
I’m looking forward to new adventures and expanded horizons in 2020.
​This short (1 minute) video is festive and I love the way you can see that the girls absolutely understand what I am asking them to do. A lot of thinking in a minute's time!

​Taking the Show on the Road/What Happens outside the arena?
I’m grateful for the Connection Training (Positive Rewards/Clicker Training) Club for setting forth monthly challenges to inspire me to get out and do something and document it. Here are the results from our autumn All Terrain Challenge.
Due to visiting horses and much hysteria in the paddocks, we couldn’t go out of sight, so I set this course on the berm in my front yard. I transplanted the flag, a plastic bag, and the pinwheel from the arena, threw in some poles to encourage thoughtful stepping, and went straight to it.
 (Shiraz) The footing on the hill is steep and soft. This is a moderately trimmed video of a 4-minute session with Shiraz. Shiraz would rather not have to cope with scary things, as evidenced by the snorting and buckling knees, but she does it, and is proud of herself after.
When I think back to a couple of years ago when a plastic bag would send her reeling and shaking, I am ever grateful to Connection Training de-spooking instruction. As you can see, she now thinks anything that shows up should be touched!
(Jalila) In this final video documentation for 2019, you can see how wonderful it is that a horse who should probably not be ridden due to coordination and/or neurological issues, landed squarely my lap, a woman who no longer has a desire to ride. The relationship I have with this mare takes me back to when I was a kid.
Shiraz takes the CT All Terrain Challenge (2:46)
Jalila takes the CT All Terrain Challenge (4:07)