Für Ulrike und Apriil :)

Out of the Horsenality Report

The Seven Games
1. Friendly Game #1 - This is usually the easiest game to play with a Left Brain Introvert because they are pretty unaffected most of the time. Even things that are at first spooky, are quickly put into the safe basket and Milva is back to her unflappable self. You may find some issues when touching her in private or sensitive areas without permission, nobody gets to touch the alpha there... so be prepared to come back to those issues after you have been accepted as the leader. The Friendly Game is the easiest game for Milva, she likes doing nothing and likes having a rest.

2. Porcupine Game #2 - Milva´s tendency is to push into pressure so this can the most challenging game to win. She will act dull, may even think about nipping or cowkicking at you, but her main goal is to make you give up. Rather than try to push her for all you´re worth, get smarter about it. She can feel a fly landing on her, so use light pressure and wait for her to understand what it means: please move your feet. If she doesn´t, use your carrot stick and lightly tap her on the leg that isn´t moving. The moment she moves the tiniest bit, reward her big time - scratches or rest or even a treat! Remember, you´ve got to make it worth it for her, especially in the beginning. Be careful that you don´t misinterpret any brace or reluctance to move as being dull or insensitive. She can feel it, she may not understand what to do or she just doesn´t want to do it! The Porcupine Game is the most challenging game to do well with Milva.

3. Driving Game #3 - Driving Milva´s front end away from you will be harder than moving her hind end. This is because Milva is thinking about dominance and that´s usually accompanied by pushing with her front end. Every time you move her hind end, she gets to come at you and push into your space, which is the opposite of what you want. In fact if you overdo this game she can become aggressive so don´t drill her. Make you sure you can do it and then start using it in your daily interaction and Patterns, rather than trying to perfect it as move in itself. Remember - the Seven Games are like your alphabet, they are not moves to be perfected in themselves. They need to be used to accomplish bigger things.

4. Yo-Yo Game #4 - Backing up is something dominant horses don´t like to do because it concedes leadership. So don´t be surprised if this is a bit of challenging. Use a long Phase 1 and then get quickly to Phase 4. Then smile! When you put the Yo-Yo Game to a purpose, such as backing her through gates or for slowing her down, it becomes more interesting for her she´ll become more responsive.

5. Circling Game #5 - Circles are challenging because Milva just doesn´t see the point. As long as you can send her out and around you, even for one or two slow-as-a-snail laps, you are doing great! The way this is going to get interesting is when you do the Parelli Patterns and see all the ways circling can be done. Remember, that asking her to go slower, rather than trying to speed her up, will be more effective at getting her mind engaged, the same thing goes with giving her responsibility of not changing gate.

6.Sideways Game #6 - This Game shouldn´t pose too much trouble for you, mainly because it goes somewhere rather than in mindless circles. You are also asking for components of the Driving Game because you move the front a little, move the back a little and ultimately have the whole horse going sideways. As with everything with Milva, it´s way more effective to be subtle as it causes her to be more attuned to you: a long Phase 1, and a quick 2,3 and 4.

7.Squeeze Game #7 - You shouldn´t find any real problem here, except that Milva might run out of "go" half way through the squeeze! If she does, give her a scratch and send her on her way to complete it. And if it involves going over a jump, simply back her away and start again. It´s important that you don´t keep encouragin her after you´ve sent her. At that point, it´s her responsibility to complete the task.