Problems With Circling and Yo-Yo Games

Question: I'm having trouble getting the message to my 4-year-old mare's feet in the Yo-Yo Game. She is mostly a Left-Brain Introvert with a tendency to be on the lazy side, who will sometimes go Right-Brain Extrovert on me, usually during the Circling Game if I ask her to go faster than a walk. Whenever I play the Yo-Yo Game with her she turns her head away almost like she can't bear to look at me. At first I would just bump her head back to me and keep going but this has been going on for a couple of months now and her head turning has not changed. How should I be responding to this behavior? -Ingrid L.

Answer: The best solution in the Circling Game is to immediately make a transition after you ask the horse to go. In this way you keep her mind with you instead of allowing it to lose focus and get right-brain. And I wonder if it really is right-brain or if she's having a tantrum? Just something to think about. Either way, lots of transitions will make it more interesting and solve your problem. Think also about doing a Pattern such as the Figure 8. That will help her and you to stay focused and have some purpose instead of just going in mindless circles – especially if she's having some trouble with that at the moment. As you both get better, the goal will one day be how many laps can you get?

As far as her looking away when you play the Yo-Yo Game, you need to think about why she is doing that. Is she afraid to look at you (right-brain) or is she avoiding looking at you because she knows you're going to tell her to do something (left-brain). Rather than bump her, take a step backwards, or a few steps and wait until she can look at you – which can take quite a bit of time with an Introvert! When she does, bring her back to you, rub her and start again. You have to gain her confidence.

Yours Naturally,
Linda