Gia - session 231 - more gymnastics

 Gia started out fairly relaxed today, so I opted not to lunge her.  We started with stretching down at the walk, and she was reaching really well. and walking on nicely today!  We stretched down a bit at the trot and then started working over the poles.  Each time Gia had a good, quiet, relaxed and consistent trip over the poles, I would reward her with a treat.  I definitely feel like she tried a little harder knowing the treat was coming.  

Once we had three good trips over the poles, we added a crossrail.  She was surprised, and thought about stopping the first time through, but I managed to keep her going and we made it to the other side.  Once she got her treat, she was more willing to go over the second time.  We repeated that one until it was smooth and easy three times.  Then we added an oxer bar to the crossrail.  That was a no-brainer for  her.  

Next up was another vertical, one stride away.  That also went fairly well the first time, so after a few times through, we made it an oxer.  That also went surprisingly well ... until we remembered to put a ground pole in front of the jump.  Then she swerved off to the side at the sight of the ground pole, and I wasn't able to keep her going over it.  She did manage to get over it the second time though.  Successive times afterward were much better.  

As she got more and more comfortable, I started putting the jumps up a bit.  We made it up to about 2'6" before I decided to let her stop for the day.  A few of the jumps felt rather large, but once she relaxed, the jumps felt quite easy for her!

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