madalicedj
Well-Known Member
I arrived at yard early today determined to not be beaten after my boys refusing to load yesterday. Box was being borrowed only reason i stopped. And re address the trotting poles issue.
We went up to school at half eleven and didnt return to yard till half 3. !!
A little and often is NOT working with him.
I laid out various poles not spaced so he had to think more and lead him over.
Was ok even 1st few times.
Once settled. I popped my 13yr old son with hat and body protector on so he could feel weight of rider and still be lead.All went well.
Son off I lunged over one pole then 2, three and lastly four. On both reins until he walked and trotted calmly. He had a few moments but did amazingly well with the help of my son and friend initially leading him over .Then back to a pole. Ahhhh but settled again. Back to lunge and raised the pole and took away 3. Then added 1. He finally calmly walked and trotted over both and stopped jumping it.
I know he will be scared tomorrow but I will stick at it till its normal for him. He did so well. My hands are filthy from patting and cuddling all day.
Back to yard washed off.
Oh I also put plastic bin in stable on his hay and white tape measure. He accepted these quite quickly Another result.
Lastly loading. He is to get his meals on horsebox till he settles now. 45min of him stepping on ramp and stretching to try and reach grub when we tapped with whip. Not a noise of whip or smack. In fact I had to tap him 3x as he didnt feel it through his sheet and he shot up. Bit unsettled at 1st but he ate his grub came off fine and is now munching his hay.
Same again in morning.
All in all a very good day no terrified horse or bullying. I am going to get a wee water pistol to squirt at his hocks rather than tap a whip. He just needs a wee shove from behind without the risk of kicking in fear of anything.
I am so chuffed with him.
Its not going to be a breeze straight away but just shows how firm but gentle perseverance can pay off.
Sorry its long but only just home and so glad he coped so well with so many different things today
We went up to school at half eleven and didnt return to yard till half 3. !!
A little and often is NOT working with him.
I laid out various poles not spaced so he had to think more and lead him over.
Was ok even 1st few times.
Once settled. I popped my 13yr old son with hat and body protector on so he could feel weight of rider and still be lead.All went well.
Son off I lunged over one pole then 2, three and lastly four. On both reins until he walked and trotted calmly. He had a few moments but did amazingly well with the help of my son and friend initially leading him over .Then back to a pole. Ahhhh but settled again. Back to lunge and raised the pole and took away 3. Then added 1. He finally calmly walked and trotted over both and stopped jumping it.
I know he will be scared tomorrow but I will stick at it till its normal for him. He did so well. My hands are filthy from patting and cuddling all day.
Back to yard washed off.
Oh I also put plastic bin in stable on his hay and white tape measure. He accepted these quite quickly Another result.
Lastly loading. He is to get his meals on horsebox till he settles now. 45min of him stepping on ramp and stretching to try and reach grub when we tapped with whip. Not a noise of whip or smack. In fact I had to tap him 3x as he didnt feel it through his sheet and he shot up. Bit unsettled at 1st but he ate his grub came off fine and is now munching his hay.
Same again in morning.
All in all a very good day no terrified horse or bullying. I am going to get a wee water pistol to squirt at his hocks rather than tap a whip. He just needs a wee shove from behind without the risk of kicking in fear of anything.
I am so chuffed with him.
Its not going to be a breeze straight away but just shows how firm but gentle perseverance can pay off.
Sorry its long but only just home and so glad he coped so well with so many different things today
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