Now that Daisy has the basics, it's fine tuning time with her groundwork. She knows what I want, and even though there are some times that she hesitates, I really think she's "got it".
Thursday was again lunging. She even focused on me when my mare, Starlette, and the gelding next door, Dakota, where having a lovefest at each other, only losing attention when Starlette squealed or Dakota strutted by with his wanker hanging out. And she consistantly gave me her right lead! I didn't push too hard as I want her hip to muscle up and not get sore.
Friday my friend again worked her. His report to me: "Worked with Daisy today. Lunged-Boy the right hind sure looks better! More basic leading. I left Cooper and Starlette out,when Starlette would walk into the barn and walk out Daisy did rear up on the crossties a couple times, only a foot-foot and a half,need to work with that but in the barn on the crossties isn't really the place. Aside from that she is doing better."
Saturday (today) I lunged her at dusk. She would keep looking into the barn where the horses were, but did really well. Again, a few hesitations and stopping and looking at me, but would then continue on in the direction I wanted. No rearing at all. Just undoing of old habits. The only problem I had with her was leading her around to cool her down...when I walked away from the barn, she pulled and started backing away. I was going to yank on the rope halter, then realized that is probably what people did to her before, so what I did was straighten her out, and when she pulled, I whipped the lead rope behind me and wacked her in the butt, which caused her to scoot forward. Only took two times, and she behaved herself.
Still trying to decide if I want to start riding her, or give her another week or so of groundwork. I really want a good foundation on her - this time!
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