DAY 6: We have
really thrown Brody into the deep end! He has gone from a small plot of land,
low calorie feed and no travel to an almost four acre pasture (with grass),
three meals a day, regular training, travel and new horses/experiences. We’re
surprised is brain has not popped! We wanted to build on the successes we
experienced yesterday so we hauled out to the local arena today. This week as
really been about two things: making a connection/getting respect and seeing
where the holes are in his training. The arena footing was not bad and we had
the place all to ourselves (which was awesome) so we got right to work starting
with a nice turnout and run around the large arena. Our plan is to go through
the Fundamental level of the Downunder Horsemanship Method with him as we know
it will fill in the gaps to his training and build a solid foundation. His
previous owners really tried to do right by his development and actually did a
fair amount of groundwork with him. As we go through the exercises we see that
certain things were done well, certain things need improvement and certain
things were not done at all. When we look at the program and say “here is where
the challenges pop up” they don’t! It’s crazy
and its fun. We actually were able to do some Circle Driving (albeit roughly at
first) today! His ability to read the Backing method of Tap the Air has really
improved too. Following Shana Terry’s advice about not babysitting the horse
once the concept is understood has help a great deal. Brody learns quickly and
needs that positive reward/praise after learning something, especially if a
correction was involved. We have been using a 3:1 ratio…meaning that if you
“tap” him once, you “rub” him three times as long so he really understands the lesson
and doesn’t get his feelings hurt. When praising he seems to want to be close,
which is sweet and endearing but we’re working on him being praised and feeling
confident outside our hoola-hoop/safe zone and then calling him in when he
relaxes.
Trailer
loading a horse can be a nightmare! The horror stories about of horses not
wanting to load up. The first trailer ride with Brody was not bad at all,
especially since it had been YEARS since he was loaded up in the box on wheels.
Today’s ride was great! I was actually able to send him in the trailer with
just a point. He darn near loaded himself! We did some exercises outside the
trailer first and then asked him to load up. It worked! Love that about him!
We reviewed
and refined the exercises we’ve been working on and had the Arena Mates in
hand. Brody is beginning to relax once we flog with kindness and do some
lateral flexing. As mentioned we worked on Sending and Circle Driving which was
fun.
We did about 30-45 minutes of ground work and had lots of rest
periods (and baby carrots) as rewards for good work. We then tacked up. Brody
is a bit cinchy and will pull pack when tied and cinched up. We noted this on
Day 4 and were ready for it. We did some advance/retreat with the girth and
bent his head towards us when we did so. He pulled back once after everything
was in place…which was funny because it felt like he was doing it because that
is what he is supposed to do. We simply did it all again using advance and
retreat and all was fine. Lunging for Respect and Backing was the ground
exercises of choice before the girth was checked again (no issues) and then we
mounted up. Since the footing by the rails was still not great we decided to
break out the cones, set them up in a zig-zap pattern and worked on the steering
wheel and gas pedal. The Cruising Lesson and One-Rein stops served as our warm
up. He needs work on the stop from the seat cue but listens decently to the
one-rein stop. His gas pedal functions only needed the “spank” sound on my
thigh a couple of times and then all I had to do was reach for the spanker if
he didn’t move out. He figured out the squeeze and cluck is MUCH easier than
spank and was willing to comply…and get rewarded for it every time.
The cones helped to provide visual markers for us both. We
got some really nice responses and we got some dull ones too. It really comes
down to being consistent in my equitation and his reading of the cues provided.
More saddle time will fix this for both of us. We wrapped up with some nice
walk, trot, lope transitions and then dismounted. Saddle time was about 40-45
minutes with some rest periods mixed in. As his condition improves the under
saddle part of the training sessions will get longer. Tomorrow we’re giving
them a day off to rest and hopefully if the weather is decent on New Years Day
we’ll get more training time in!
DAY 8: New Year’s
Day! We loaded up the horses in the afternoon and headed out for some training.
The arena was busy (which is rare) and there was a diverse group of horses and
humans on hand. We saw Arabians, Mustangs, Quarter Horses, a Warmblood of some
kind, a mini donkey and even a Frisian stallion (who was very well behaved).
There were folks working a variety of things, from Parelli exercises to
dressage. It was pretty cool and great opportunity to test Brody’s willingness
to focus on us and stay focused during the training.
We tacked
up early this time and worked on the cinch issues. Advance and retreat occurred
a bit and we hit only one pulling back episode. The tie rings really help the
training because the horse can move its feet while you can maintain some level
of control. We got over it, tacked up and hit the arena for some ground work.
We did lots of Lunging for Respect 1 and 2 at the trot and lope to get warmed
up, followed by Backing with Tap the Air and Steady Pressure (he knew Steady
Pressure already). We introduced Marching and Wiggle, Wave, Walk and Whack
today. Both went well and he got the concept without too much fuss. The
corrections were minor which was nice. Sending, Circle Driving and Leading
Beside were all worked on mixed with the various desensitizing exercises. Today
the team of Michael and Brody felt good. It really felt that we were not
working hard at all, just hanging out and playing with the skills. Days like
this are why we work so hard.
We mounted
up after our groundwork and focused on softening up the responses to the cues
we’ve been working on. Brody felt much smoother in his responses to pressure.
We trotted some nice circles and had some decent transitions happen. Because he
is out of shape and kind of thin “collection” is hard for him for long periods
of time. His trot was less bouncy and more controlled today. His lope is not
fast but he does lurch a bit to get started. His headset is up and down but
workable for the most part. We got to socialize with other horse/human teams
and share our stories which is always fun. Brody lasted about 45-50 minutes
with shorter rest periods work in before he just got tired. We wrapped up with
some Backing and Yielding the Hindquarters under saddle and then called it a
day. A good session all considered and a really great way to start 2013!
Tomorrow we’ll hit the round pen and make it an easy day…as long as the weather
hold up!
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