Saturday, August 21, 2010

A Day Without A Lesson? Not....

Yesterday was Daisy's day off since she had been adjusted the night before.  However, with some horses, they never get a day off...

She is obviously feeling better!  When I brought the horses in, and she is always last because she's in the far pasture (so she can get used to being along), last night she worked herself up into a frenzy galloping back and forth (yes, galloping!). I watched to see if she would take her right lead - unfortunately, no - and tried to catch her.  She was so jazzed up that it took a good 5 minutes before she stood quietly enough for me to put on her halter.

Now, I would not put it on until she stood quietly.  Thank you Cesar Milan/Dog Whisper and his training methods of calm submissive behavor before reward.  I also have to practice patience when using this training method, but it's not only good for the horse, but good for me, too!

Once I had her haltered, first thing I do is wait a moment to see if she's focused on me or on the barn.  Last night was totally barn.  So I went to walk her around the pasture to get her attention, and she gave me a little pop-up.  So we backed, and backed, and backed.  Went to walk forward, and she swung herself around me instead of standing by my side.  So we backed and backed.  Good thing the chiro said she needed backing to help that hip!  After about 10 minutes of rinse and repeat, she finally focused on me.

We did stop and wait several times walking back to the barn, but she got the idea and waited for me to go forward before moving herself.  Of course, she was praised, and I could see her trying to figure it all out.

You never know when a lesson will happen!

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