Mornin' guys! I'm sorry that I haven't posted anything lately; I've been sick and I wasn't up to doing anything other than resting. But I'm feeling better now so here is an update on how things have progressed in the past five days. :)
Since Lady and I did something really provocative and new on the fourteenth, we spent the next two days hanging out and making sure the relationship was still great, if not better and I am *very* glad I took that time.

June 15, 2008
To start our morning, I gave Lady breakfast in her stall and stayed in there with her while she ate. She was tense and stand-offish and didn't want me to touch her at all so, I gave her some space.
When she was done eating she came straight to where I was standing in the pasture, sniffed at me and walked a few feet away to graze.
Yesterday when she walked away from me and ignored me, I read her body language as dominant since she was relaxed, casually swishing flies, blowing and generally tension-free. But today when she did the same thing, I read her as unconfident because of how tense, bracy and nervous she was.
I focused on being calm, confident and relaxed without any tension in my body. Within the next five minutes she had edged back to my side. She lifted her head to sniff me and I offered her my hand, palm up, which she sniffed then she rested her nose in my palm and sighed really big. We stayed that way for a few seconds(felt like hours!) and then, I tested to see if she was okay with my touch on her withers/back and she seemed to accept and enjoy it. She went back to grazing but she didn't leave my side for the remainder of our time together.

I think that in our relationship, the time I spend with her just doing nothing is key. Especially after a session when we're doing something that may cause her to lose confidence in me or herself. I realize that after our session yesterday, I may not have spent enough UDT with her. I don't feel like I failed, I feel like I experimented and I'm one step closer to finding the right combination of teaching and comfort for her.

June 16, 2008
On the sixteenth, Lady and I started the day the same way as we did on the fifteenth but with a big difference in how she responded to me.
While she was eating, I rubbed her neck and back and she was totally relaxed with no tension and sporting that beautiful soft look that I love so much. We walked together out to the pasture with no lead rope, and she kept with my pace.
The gate that separates the pastures is only big enough to allow one of us through at a time and she being the Lady she is, stopped and waited for me to go through. Our rapport was amazing so I decided to try a little something with her.
When I got through the gate, I turned and invited her through by walking backwards slowly. When she was about halfway through, I lifted my hands, changed my posture and used rhythmic pressure with the intention to back her through the gate. Her ears were flicking back and fourth and I could tell all her attention was on me, once I got to phase 2, she understood what I wanted and responded by backing through the gate. Then I relaxed, she stood there licked her lips and then I invited her to me, rubbed her and walked off into the pasture with her following behind me.
I knew it was something we could do because she is confident with Driving and Porcupine games when I use my hands. It was a little something to keep us both interested and I was very pleased with how it went.
We spent the rest of the time just being close, grazing and scratching each other. :) WONDERFUL session.

June 17-18, 2008
I was really sick on these two days and only went outside to do the daily barn chores. She nickered when she saw me which made me feel tons better!

Now that I am feeling better I'll be updating regularly (hopefully).
See ya later!

Naturally,

Katie Hufton