Fetch-in Fun!

[turnbuckle]

So....went to collect the Eejit for his afternoon sleep....cheerful neighing as he heard the car stop.....then when I approach the gate, SPIN and canter off....STOP and go up.....and trot back up.......and go UP!

"Are you going to be sensible"?

Bangs gate and flings head.

Off I go to get a hat and bridle

Return.......GALLOP across field. And back to gate. Offers head for bridle then spins away, leaps and strikes the air.

Rain starts to chuck down. Heads off to stand under tree, resting hind, licking lips and looking like Blackpool donkey.

I approach. Looks sweetly affectionate then canters past me to gate. Goes up. I tell him to go BACK and slip out of the gate agin. Offer bridle...he approaches and spooks away. Repeat 5 times.

Masterstroke....I unclip the rope and let him have a nice bite and chew, then sling it round his neck. Being not quite as bright as the thinks, he reckons he is now CATCHED and puts bridle on sweetly.

Re-attach rope and open gate. Horse emerges at high speed, fetches up at end of rope and does a neat air-above-the-ground. Waits while I shut the gate.

We head off to yard in a fine passage with ROLLING eyes and enough implusion to launch a ship. It might LOOK as though I am being towed but in fact he is keeping the softest of contacts....

Into stable, apple enjoyed and back to donkey-mode.

That animal never ceases to amuse. Or terrify, as the case may be!

 

[Mrs B]

Meanwhile, HE'S probably telling his mates about his Eejit owner who, just when he thinks he's got the message across loud and clear that it's afternoon nap time, keeps getting to the gate, then spooking and running back to the stables for stuff ...

... and even when he's backed off, made himself small and avoided eye contact under the tree to try and calm you down (because you never have Sedalin to hoof when the Humans need it, do you?) you bolt out of the gate again just as he's trying to look nicely in your direction ...

Honestly. You think you've done the ground work and got them to start moving their feet in the required direction then it all goes pear-shaped.

*sigh* Maybe clicker training might be worth a try?