Fibones
Member
Hi. Fun to share this journey with youngsters!
Hi. Fun to share this journey with youngsters!Yay I can join this thread too now. My new 3 year old has been introduced elsewhere on the forum already, but this will be a good place to keep track of progress. I read this thread years ago, following the original generation, then forgot about it. But I have read back so 'know' the current crop of babies starting Big School. Looking forward to following everyone's progress
I'm another working with Joe Midgley with a 'skills to have before I get on' list. And on the same yard as Fibones - so we probably have a similar list! (Not sure she knows that I am on here! I don't really talk ahbout HHO in real life). And also focusing on the quality of the work at each step.
She was home-bred and I bought her direct from the breeder. Before I got her she had been led to and from the field, had her feet done, been brushed and fussed, but had no formal training at all. But was mannerly and unafraid. Perfect!
She arrived last Thursday. She was given a day on the field and was introduced to the tools on Day 2, along with lateral and vertical flexions, plus leading without moving ahead or pkanting, which she was not great at.
Step was introducing her to the kit, and ensuring she was happy with being touched all over by me, and then by ropes and the flag. She was unsure at first but soon relaxed so that was just 10-15 minutes 'work' then back to the field.
Session 1 Video
Since then she has had the farrier and dentist and was good as gold for both. No wolf teeth - hurrah. And we have done 3 more groundwork sessions. At first she worked out what was being asked quite quickly but quality was not there- it was tense, rushed, braced and movements were a bit erratic.
She can also be very distractible - understandably as she was home-bred and has never been anywhere new before. New horses, new home, new owner. But she comes back to me, and even looks to me for comfort sometimes. Her go to when worried is to keep moving her feet, so doing things with her is easier than 'parking' her. So every session has involved a fair amount of moving her around a) to help her feel safer, b) to get her attention on me, mixed with lots of 'parking' to teach her that a lot of times she does not need to DO anything. She can just chill, have a fuss, and wait for further instructions.
Vertical flexion and back up is often braced. She has a tendency to fix her jaw and push her nose into pressure, then tosses her head and tries all manner of evasions before finally softening to it. So that is a habit we need to undo.
When she is calm and listening she actually does all the 'things' on my list that I want her to do reasonably nicely. Calm, controlled steps, soft and loose back up, no bracing. Even some synchronicity as she steps across as I step. Which is surprising as she very definitely has not done any of this stuff. However, when she is a bit worried or distracted it all evaporates. So I need it much more consistent before we move on.
She's an absoute sweetheart.