Thursday 28th January
Another good day, a bit windy and some drizzle but good to get out. The playfield has got much more grass showing in it now albeit down trodden winter stuff without much goodness, the horses like the grazing action and it keeps them happy ;-) So this morning Mark and I took all 5 horses up to graze in the playfield...what happy bunnies they were to be up there.
In the afternoon I went up to the field and played with Solly, here is our session:
1) Liberty:
Start off half way down the field and I whistle to Solly and slap the ground with the CS/SS and he looks up and thinks about coming up. On the third attempt he started to come to catch me, it was only at the walk but then he trotted when closer to me and he got a treat for that good catch ;-)
I then played Stick 2 Me w/t/bkup to the top of the field to get him harmonizing with me. Next I asked him for some slow movements to get his mind harmonizing with me too, firstly it was stand on the tractor tyre pedastal with all 4 feet, then a couple of squeeze jumps...cool.
2) Online w/45':
I make sure everything I do now that the rope is slack on the ground so that our liberty session later has just the same elements to it. I start online with some serious friendly game, slow and easy first and then up to some quite extreme friendly in all zones especially Z5 with some fast hellicopters. As I ended up in Z5 I then asked Solly to backup but today I only asked using my energy, no tail, no rope, no legs! and guess what...he did it first time ;-) Just shows that my preparation worked on that one well ;-)
We then went over to the small white barrel and I asked him to sideways around it away from me and then towards me. Great. So, next step is to ask him to sideways over it. He is a little sticky with this still so I go back to Z1 and ask for it from there and after a couple of stops he manages to do it to the L&R ;-) I will just keep plugging away at this one, every time we play we'll do some of this to make is perfect.
I then go into the large arena and ask for some circling, to the L&R, transitions of w/t/c/t and ask him for more than one lap in canter which he does nicely. Going to the right was nice as he usually has sticky ribs on that side but he was blowing out nicely going this way today. I also asked for some relaxation of his ribs with some sideways on a circle, it's not much sideways just a step or a try so that his ribs flex more to the outside. Sometimes it's easier to do a very very small DHQ and move it on to help him flex his ribs and bring his head and neck to inside the circle, this just helps him find where to be more and h0pefully he'll remember where it feels good to place his body each time we do this. He's getting the hang of it more and more ;-)
After a break I decide to try some beginnings of a bow. He already bows nicely on his own and he did one today where I leant over his back and when he got up I was almost mounted. SO, a bow is the next step to me asking for a stretch to get on bareback and so today I started that process. First I ask Sol to give me his front left leg, which he does well and then I put my other hand on his chest and ask for just a small movement backwards....he does it and I do the process again twice more to emphasise that this is what I want. I will continue doing this asking for more of a stretch back and down as we go but for now a little step in the right direction was good and it will keep him confident with what I'm asking of him ;-)
3) Liberty in large arena:
Start off with Stick 2 Me all over the arena and then I specify him going with me along a long side of the arena in trot and in the corner I ask for canter like yesterday. He does this well although I'm still not standing still it's almost a libety circle ;-) Very pleased. He's getting the idea now.
We then go and do some fig 8's at liberty at walk and then at trot, he was more hesitant about trot so I made it a bit more fun and mixed it up with Stick 2 me, weave and fig 8's and he really got into being with me whatever I asked. Think he liked it that I made it more fun ;-)
Then I decided to actually try for a liberty circle so I go back into the normal corner he's got used to doing this with the stick 2 me and I ask him to circle around me at walk, he is a little close so I touch him to move him out more and then use the stick...once he goes further out and he comes towards the corner again I ask him to go into trot...yeehaa. He trots nicely and all the way around I make sure my body energy and language is pulled 'in' from his body therefore drawing him in to me rather than pushing him away. It works and he does 2 laps in both directions. This is the FIRST time for a decent trotting liberty circle and I'm SO over the moon about it. Big treats for his effort and concentration.
I only spent about an hour but we did some good stuff together so I set him back with the herd before spoiling what has been a good session ;-))
Wednesday 27th January
It's been some time BUT today I manage to get out with Solly, it's a bit windy and threatening to rain but the top playfield has got some green patches in it and the thaw is on ;-)
I don't expect much as we've both lazed about for a month but it's a start for the new year. Firstly I ask Sol to catch me and he comes nicely, albeit slowly. But he gets a treat for his effort and hopefully that will make it better next time. Here is what we did together today:
1) Stick 2 Me:
Did this after taking his rug off and grooming him, we w/t/bkup up the road to the playfield. I think Sol was happy to be on nice solid tarmac for a change ;-) He was a bit slow/stick to start with but got into my energy rhythm quickly and his gaits were nice.
2) Online:
In the large arena I put together before xmas, it's about 40x60' (I think). So I start with the friendly game, and then work on DHQ and straight after move the FQ's asking him to walk on and playing friendly in z4-5 as he walks on.
He then does a large stretch and take advantage of this and jump on his back for some friendly game. He does a nice LF to my feet and I then jump down. He's being a bit mouthy to start with so I take this opportunity to play with his mouth, rub his gums and tongue and put the carrot stick in his mouth like Pat shows in his latest SC dvd.
We then move to some circling game but it's a bit sticky, he's slow, lethargic and non-fussed about doing it SO I just work on getting that better and more enthusiasic. I put in a few COD's and that helps too. When his circles are looking a bit better I work on trying to get a bend in his body, to help him release tension and relax. He has much more trouble with his right side so I get up closer and move his body with my fingers more and then leave it for him to think about.
3) Liberty:
We work on Stick 2 Me first, this is always pretty good and it was fun. I then use that incentive to try some more circling game at liberty. He tries really hard to do close up circles in walk so I'm going to now ask him to move away more and do trot and maybe canter. I set it up so that we're in a corner of the arena, this way it helps him find and stay on the circle and I can ask for canter as we come into the corner and he may just make it in a full circle without running off! lol. Well, my theory works and it ends up being a good circle me at trot and canter at liberty rather than a stick 2 me. I just started out with the stick 2 me and then moved less and less until I was pretty much still ;-) I do it on both sides and leave it on a good note as I don't want to spoil a good moment. This is the first time that he's done this and I'm well chuffed ;-))
3) Online:
I then spot the tractor tyre as we were leaving the field and decided to ask him if he'd put his foot in it. Now he's had trouble doing this, hates getting his foot caught but is very good with letting me 'place the foot' with a rope around it SO I decide to try that out for him. I place his left foot a few times into and out of the tyre, showing that when he's relaxed his heel doesn't get caught up on the rim of the tyre. I make sure his weight comes down on the the left foot nicely before asking him to backup and me helping to raise his foot and place it back down outside the tyre. I was so pleased with him and he shocks me when we've finished by quickly placing his right foot in and out of the tyre without a problem!! I leave it there and hope that this memory stays with him now ;-)
As a last fun thing to do I ask Sol to go up to and stand on the pedastal from Z4/5 with one rope, setting this up so that when we do it long reining again it won't be so hard for him. He does this very well and I end the session .
Friday 22nd January
Well I had a shock this morning, I went up to see the horses am and the field gate was completely open!! I panicked but luckily the recent 1" of snow helped me...there were no tyre tracks so I thought they probably weren't stolen (although this was top most in my mind and took my heart into my throat ;-( ) I followed the hoof prints in the snow, they had headed straight for the main road....another panic!
BUT as I went up the hill following the estate road I saw them in the playfield...luckily they were used to going in there and grazing and they had all stayed together and gone for the grazing ;-) Phew a HUGE sigh of relief and so glad the gates were open up the top and so glad they didn't run off down the road. I ran to the gate and closed it off and phoned Mark to bring the am feed to a different field. I can tell you it was a relief to see them calmly grazing and from the lack of human footprints around the gate we realise that the horses (probably mouthy Stormy or Solly) had pushed on the gate a few times and managed to open the gate, it swings inwards easily so they all just took a night time stroll!
To stop this becomming a habit (my poor heart couldn't take it again) we have now put a very heavy chain with a lock onto the gate.
So, whilst they were up in the playfield already we went up to move them to their usual field (top field has no water and is too close to the main road for my liking, so don't want to leave them there regularly) I decided to try some things out at liberty with Solly....just for fun, to see what he remembered and how it would go. After a good little session I realise that the playfield now could be played in without too much difficulty, the snow has sunk down quite a bit in the large arena and Solly was happy to play. So, when it's not too cold (I hate getting cold and wet) we may venture up there for a play session...yeehaa ;-)
Todays was very improvised but it was fun to play with Sol again after so long and I think he really enjoyed himself too.
Here are some pictures of the liberty fun we had:
Desensitization of the ears w/gloves....my reindeer ;-)
Testing the pedastal with his left foot....
Testing it with his right foot...
OK....we'll put both up on it ;-)
Trying out close circling...not even a carrot stick, so improvise with a polypole from the fence!
Slow work circling but he's getting the idea more now
Smell your tail...he's pretty good with this
Stick 2 me, we did w/t/backups ;-)
Backing up from the tail still good ;-))Sunday 17th January
Well I've not been able to do anything at all with the horses because of the snow here. Nothing is thawing out, the fields are still totally covered and now we have ice on the road and a 2" covering of ice on the snow too which makes it awkward to move around on. I'm really missing being out with the horses, playing, riding and generally being outside with them each day but I'm just going to have to sit it out and wait for better weather.
Tuesday 5th January
Had to collect hay yesterday so gave Solly the day off from bridling. But today was a good day to do some more. We've done the teaching phase and also the controlling phase so now we're on the reinforcing phase really, that is, reinforcing the good behaviours ;-)
Mark came out and photographed the very short session for us too so it can be a piccie blog today:
Showing the snap on the throat lash where I moved it last session
Lowering the head with ease and relaxation
Solly takes the bit with relaxation and in a calm manner
Head up for a treat ;-)
Head down again to take the bridle off again
Sol releasing the bit ;-)
On the other side too....he just loves to play with things in his mouth! lol
Head down again, bit taken nicely by Solly
Head up for that treat again ;-)
Taking bridle off ears, Solly really understanding his responsibilities
Solly releasing bit from the right sideThis session really really felt good. Solly totally understands the stages of bridling and his responsibilities. Fab day ;-)
Sunday 3rd January
Sunshine today...albeit with still the same amount of snow about...it does make it all seem much prettier. So, off out I go to do our third day in a row of bridling.
Play friendly game all over and then halter, he plays with the halter a bit but by playing back he looses interest quite quickly. I then spend some time tossing the rope over his head from Z3 from both sides, this calms him down quite quickly and we have less of the mouthiness with the rope halter, my legs, my pockets etc. lol
I lower his head and then play around a bit with putting the bridle on his nose, forehead and cheeks to counteract his trying to take the bit in his mouth regardless of whether I'm asking him to bit!! lol. This works well and so I go straight to the bitting session.
He has a nice, calm lowered head and I put the bit into his mouth (still using the two handed method with my arm loosely over his neck) and he takes the bit very nicely. I lift it up into his mouth and put the headstall over his ears. I ask him to lift his head for a treat and let him digest that nicely whilst stroking him around the neck, face and ears.
I then ask him to lower his head again, not a problem, and take the headstall off, lower the bit and ask him to open his mouth to release the bit, he hangs onto it a little so I bring the bit up again into the bridling position but don't put the headstall over his ears, I just hold it for a few seconds and then lower it again. I do this 4 times and on the last time he opens his mouth and releases the bit....he gets a treat and a fuss again.
We have a break and then I repeat everything again and it goes very well and after another rest I go to the other side and repeat the whole session here. I'm very very pleased with this session, it was only 10 mins today and I left it there as there was no need to drill it, he's got the message and I will do a few more sessions to really bring it home and then leave it for a while. Very chuffed that I took the time now to help sort out this issue ;-)
Saturday 2nd January
Managed to find a window in the weather today at about 12 noon. It had been snowing all morning so we had a couple more inches to walk through but off out I go to do more bridling with Solly.
Firstly started again with friendly game from both sides and he started his play with me straight off by mouthing the halter TONS. So instead of getting frustrated by this I just played with the halter and his mouth TONS back...lol. I put it in and out of his mouth a LOT and then put it on his nose and off a lot until his ideas became my ideas and then back again. Finally when he was calm and relaxed enough I put the halter on and played friendly with him again.
I started porcupining his head down with relaxation ready to start bridling. Today he had more tricks than a circus monkey ;-) He put his head down far, to the left or right, tried grabbing at the halter snap (so moved it to the throad latch). He is one smart cookie for sure as he remembered he got a treat for taking the bit into his mouth from a lowered head SO he decided to lower his head and snatch at the bridle or anything else, whether I was ready or not and also started hanging onto the bit when I was taking the bridle off...like he thought the treat was about taking the bit only!!! lol.
So, a good habit has been made...lower head and take bit whilst relaxed...but another one has been made and I had to change the goal posts quickly to stop this becomming a bad habit. What I did was to bridle him and ask him to relax again BUT he didn't get a treat until I'd taken the bridle off and he released his front teeth from holding onto the bit. I also did a lot of bridling, waiting, taking the bit out of his mouth and then asking him to take it back again, waiting and then taking bridle off completely and treating him.
I spent about 20 mins on this and again left him on a good note and spent some undemanding time with him before heading in to the house to warm up. It will be interesting to see what tricks he comes up with tomorrow ;-)
Friday 1st January
As you can tell from my previous posts playing or riding is sort of out of the question at the moment SO I got to thinking of things that I could do whilst we're on pasture duty and I remembered that Solly still has a bit of a bitting/bridling issue. Great I thought, this is the ideal time to do some more of this and I should have thought of it earlier but better late than never.
So out I went with my halter, 12' line and bridle with the Parelli Confidence bit in it. I took all the unnecessary bits off the bridle ie. reins, slobber strap and throat latch. This helps me to make it simple and gives Solly less to fiddle about with. lol.
I play a bit of friendly game with Sol firstlly and ask him to halter nicely which he does. I know he's going to be a bit mouthy as I've not played with him for ages BUT thinking about it I want to be able to bridle him whenever I want, under any circumstance so I just play around with bridling mostly and see how it goes.
Firstly he didn't want to put his head down so I worked for quite a time on the porcupine game from his poll/neck until that was better. Then he kept having an opposition reflex to just having the bridle/bit near his lips SO I worked on having the bridle fap about infront of his nose whilst still playing around with the porcupining of the head down. When he was quiet, with his head down we took a break. Gosh he can be darn persistant so I knew I was going to have to out persist him whilst being a good leader and not forcing anything with him.
So now was the time to work on actually bitting him, he would try to put his head up again so I had my whole arm over his neck and if he put his head up the whole of me would go with him but he realised soon that that was very tiring so he stopped doing that. Then he tried just moving his head from left to right so that the bit would not sit anywhere near his lips and I just persisted quietly until he calmed down and put his lips over the bit, then I'd remove it. It took quite a time for rme to teach him to be calm, relaxed and non mouthy with the bit near his lips.
Next I had the brain wave of actually asking him to try to 'take' the bit. This would involve him actually putting his head down just a bit more to take the bit himself. What I did was to lower his head, full arm over his neck still and actually take either side of the bridle under the brow band with either hand and hold the bit under his lips about a cm...quite often this meant the bit was laying on the ground in the snow BUT he got curious enough to start fiddling with it and eventually he took it into his mouth, I gently brought the bridle up and slipped it on his ears. He got a treat for that and I waited it out until he was calm and relaxed in his mouth again. Once he was relaxed I asked him to lower his head again and gently tookk the bridle off his ears and asked him to raise his head a bit to get out of the bridle himself. This worked really well and I played around with him for over half an hour with this concept. Sometimes I would bridle him fully and treat him and other times I would let him put the bit in his mouth, hold it there for a bit and then ask him to let it go and then take it into his mouth again and then fully bridle him and treat him so the treat wasn't always when he put the bit in but when he was fully bridled and relaxed.
There were testing times, him trying things out and me being persistent and patient and releasing/rewarding for the behaviour I wanted. It took time but it was worth it. I left him on a very good note and hopefully I will come out for the next few days to do exactly the same thing, and hopefully this will get him 100% better at bridling this year ;-)
It's been quite a challenge to bridle Solly and we got so much better in 2009 BUT I realised that he could be so much better and that I shouldn't just give up whilst it's mediocre, to work on getting it 100% as then it would stay 100% rather than waffle about with sometimes being good and other times being awful. I think that is a good theme to take with me in my journey throughout this year.
