Interesting update....
I went and rode her yesterday. It took me a minute to get on, as I was wearing tighter jeans and she's tall...she was getting annoyed with me, but eventually I hoisted myself up there. We were in the back field where she is the worst. Well...I went once, twice around the field walking and trotting...then went back the other way and did the same..and do you know what she did??
NOTHING. Absolutely positively...nothing. She was an angel. After about 15miutes I cut it short to reward her, and walked her out to the very back of the field to get off her-and she stood stock still while I dismounted. Usually she jigs around and if I want off I have to deal with her moving all over the place. I don't know what the difference was...and if it was just a fluke or if this is it. The only thing I did differently was when I first went to get her, I sat out in the little paddock with her and worked on trying to get the lead in her mouth (which didn't happen, but anyway..) and doing a few of the excercises that we did with the trainer.
So I don't know..we'll see what happens next time. I just can't believe there were no problems whatsoever. Maybe she is starting to respect me more? In preparing to ride her, I put a halter under her hackamore with a long lead rope in case there were problems, and I also dropped the reins and rode her with just a single lead rope! (Pull to the left, and neck rein to the right!) I'm pretty excited about this. I hope we can keep it up.
EDIT: One hour later..I need to ask something. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. I was looking at some the old picture posts of shows and everything, and thinking I would like to get her into some of the gaming events...and then I specifically remember the girl saying that she had some trouble with Ava at night at the shows, being seemingly afraid of the shadows of the barrels. And she has been getting a little head-shy, she struck out at the barn owner when she tried to treat a gash on her face. If you are careless and make a quick movement to her face, or accidently knock something into her muzzle or something, she'll throw her head up and back up quickly. I wonder if she might (might) have a vision problem? And maybe that would be associated with the clingy behavior? Any way to tell from looking at the eye? She's also tripped over silly stuff lately, like an ant pile..I thought it's just because shes due for her foot trim. Maybe she just can't see well??
Hmmm...I think a vet visit is in order!
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