Well after days and days of rain/wind/rain I finally wake up to a day of dryness and the sun desperately trying to come out. So, play day for the horses. I ride/play with two of them and then play with our youngster and finally go and get Solly. I left him last so that I could spend more undemanding time with him and not rush things.
He was pretty interested in what I was doing with young Stormy and followed us around whilst I did that and then I haltered Sol up and thought about what to do. I left his rug on as it was very very chilly but that didn't bother us.
Firstly I played the friendly game with hands and then carrot stick and string. Onto the porcupine game where we played this on backing up, disengaging the hindquarters, moving the forequarters and also lowering the head down and lifting it up again. He did very well.
Then onto the driving game where again we played with moving him back, forequarters over and disengaging hinds.
Next we played the yo-yo game which has improved greatly since last time, obviously he's been licking and chewing about backing up whilst it's been raining! lol.
Circling game has improved too and his disengagement and draw was much better. I'm not asking for two circles yet, just the one to encourage him to go around unaided.
Squeeze game was fab, going back between two cones and also doing a figure of eight around two cones whilst I stand still was very good. I took him also to a jump we have made out of tyres but he was a bit worried about that so I just asked him to face it and wait which after a bit of a tantrum he did nicely.
We then attempted the sideways game which is a first attempt with this one, I asked for it whilst standing with fence behind me and with the same commands as starting a circle so he had some movement before reaching the fence and this he could put to moving sideways. We managed two or three steps of good sideways, a bit harder going to the left (me in his right eye!) but I was chuffed he did so well.
One thing I have noticed!! Since taking Sol's front shoes off (only had fronts on) he doesn't seem to DISH as much anymore!! How interesting!
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Monday 26th November '07
Today I went out and haltered Sol and walked him up the other large hill in their field. He went quite well, was keeping Stormy in his view most times but Storm didn't come at all this time. We got to where we lost view of Storm and then Sol began to get a few thresholds. I waited, backed him up and even retreated and approached again. When we managed to approached a little bit more than he did the first time I turned and walked back pleased with his attempt.
Back down the hill we played some yo-yo and circling and also put a jump up infront of him made of tyres but he didn't want to face that so I didn't push him. Again he has a tendancy to push into me so keeping my space was vital today. He's learning that the wiggling rope means to back up or stop but he pushes through that pressure a bit but again he's getting smarter about it as we go.
I left it on a good note and took his halter off and stayed with him, rubbing his face and neck and giving him kisses. I then went off and he followed me right up to the gate. It will all start making more sense to him soon, it's weird for the both of us but practise makes perfect and it also helps get us into routines and good habits.
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Sunday 25th November '07
Then we played the porcupine game, backwards, move forehand over (FQ) and disengage hindquarters (DHQ). He is getting better at these, moving FQ's was difficult as he's sticky on that and DHQ's he was moving forward a bit so I tried to sort those two things out a bit better today.
Then we went to the driving game, this was very good and he was starting to give me the other eye after turning which I was impressed with. I found he only really needs phase 2-3 and if I go to phase 4 he tells me that it's too much by lifting his back leg a bit (or a lot! lol) Great to get feedback.
Disengaging Hindquarters / Driving Game
Moving Forequarters over / Porcupine Game
His Yo-yo has improved dramatically but he still has a tendancy to step forward so we played around with teaching him to stand still for a bit longer than he was used to. Worked very well and again he learned very quickly that I just wanted him back and still for a while. He's such a clever boy!
Next in the 5th game, Circling. This was one we had to basically go back to the beginning for him. A few days ago just wanted to run around like he was being lunged so I was really particular in asking him on the circle gently. Today he didn't want to circle as I think he realised I wasn't going to follow him around and he would have to go behind me! His first attempt was a quarter of a circle then he turned into me. We got a few of these and then we got a half circle. It was great as I got to practise my send and allow with him and this helped him get better. On about the 7th try he gave me a full lap and I DHQ's and rested him.
Then we tried the other way and guess what! he gave me a full circle in a quiet walk and I DHQ's and rested him straight away. Clever boy or what? lol
Circling Game / Draw
Resting after Circling Game
He's quite a mouthy horse but after only a few games he stops mouthing which is great.
Next session I hope to improve these games a bit and get to try out Squeeze, Squeeze with jump and Sideways along a fence.
Solly, Stormy and Me after the session.
Dear Sol looks so small compared to Stormy but Stormy is about 17.2hh!!
