January 2014

Saturday 11th January

We have blue skies today, although still quite cold, but it's nicer than the on/off rain we've had since the beginning of the New Year. SO I decided to do something with Solly today. I also decided to do it with just a neck rein rather than a head collar today too...after all, most of what we do is in-hand grazing with some play with natural obstacles as they come up, he follows me around most of the time anyway so a neck rein is almost like liberty in the open area in front of our house ;)

But firstly we did some more positive training with a head collar...just for fun:

Here's the pic's from todays fun outing:



Having a quiet moment together!
just love winter horsey cuddles,
all thick coats and warm breath ;)

Been positive training him to NOT beg for treats,
because he likes treats for motivation (what's in it for him)
I don't mind treating him but I only treat when his head is
straight and slightly lowered in relaxation ;)

Backing up through trees ;)

Large stone mounting block/pedestal was
quite dry today...he managed to stand on it for me ;)

Just hanging out together

Mark came out and kept me company with Holly and Stormy

Tara in the paddock alone enjoying her snooze in peace and quiet ;)

Solly backing into the paddock




HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wednesday 1st January

Some dry weather in between the nights of horrid rain and wind ;( Manage to poo pick the main paddock which was good and then decided to have some liberty play with Solly.

I put myself a challenge ;)

CHALLENGE: "Take 6 poly posts and play as many games as you can think of at liberty" ;)

Holly, Stormy and Solly all come over to see what
I was up to with my 6 poly posts!! lol

 6 posts in a circle...'what we going to do mum?'

 Solly limbering up with a good stretch before play

 Solly playing weave on the post circle ;)

 Posts set up in two lines...'what now mum?'

 Sidepass between the two post lines to the right...

 Sideways to the left too ;)

 Posts now a bit closer together:
draw towards and then backup ;)

 Posts further apart again:
Weave with a twist....first back up through poles...

 ...sidepass all the way to the right...

 ....draw towards ;)

 Not a very good picture but the next task was Clover Leaf:
go through centre of 4 poles, circle left hand pole,
back through centre of square and repeat until all 4 poles have been circled ;)
Then go to the right all 4 poles.

 Fig 8's around two obstacles (3 poles each)

 Fig 8's ;)

 'Leading from behind' fig 8's

and the left part of the fig 8 ;)