Miyagi's Lesson for Me

Arghhhh! That's how I feel today. I haven't posted in a while, just because I have been so busy. Miyagi is progressing in some ways quickly and in other ways slowly. He has worn the halter 2 or 3 times now. Definately not confidently. He is doing pretty well in his ground work even though he is not wearing the halter. This fact makes Angi laugh. Thank God for Angi! When I don't see things progressing, Angi comes in and tells me how much better he is doing. That helps. She also keeps reminding me how challenging he is.He is challenging in some ways and in other ways not. I think that is what is so frustrating. The big thing he taught me today is, I have plenty of patience for him, but I have none for myself. I am so frustrated with me. I need to get over that. So here is what I am going to do for the both of us, LOL. I am going to make a list of what I am doing with him, and what he is doing well for me. Then maybe I can see the improvement myself.

Things Miyagi does well:
Round pen work - light as a feather, and very responsive.
Confidently looks at me with two eyes. He completely wants to be with me.
With rope around neck can:Yield his shoulders, ground drive, disengage his hind quarters, and some times....back up
At liberty his draw has improved a lot!
At liberty will play with all the toys!
At liberty can play "put your nose on it"
Miyagi has an amazing focus
Can handle my stick touching him anywhere on his body (if only my arm was as long as the stick!)
Will follow me at liberty (as though haltered and leading) through the alley back to his stall (even past a herd of mares!)
Things Chris is doing well with Miyagi:
Being creative to keep his mind stimulated
I have done excellent rope work
Building his confidence with me on the side of him
Great work with his ears.........

Okay, a very interesting thing just occurred to me as I am typing these lists. Isn't Miyagi's list and Chris's list the one in the same? We are doing them together after all. Hmmmmm, Miyagi may have just offered me another great lesson. I am gonna have to lick and chew on that one!

In the words of the great Pat Parelli, "It takes the time takes". I am such a believer in that. Now I need to practice it. I will probably be more relaxed and in turn will make Miyagi more relaxed.

I must say, this horse is the most brillant horse I have ever worked with. Which is why he is so challenging but is also why he will teach me so much!