One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Baggage-kind!

J

JAK

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A tiny, tiny, thing I know but on their way out of the field they had been riding in tonight (gate opened & ready for them!), MD's friend dropped her stick & MD kindly hopped off to retrieve it for her & when she went to get back on, the Baggage took one tiny step forward & then........stood stock still, waiting whilst MD mounted & until she was told to move on again!

Yeah, big deal, so bl**dy what I hear you cry?
Well, since MD started riding her at the beginning of May, the Baggage has indeed slowed down & improved somewhat but has never actually stood still whilst you get on, not once, not ever!

She got a nice fuss made of her & told she was really clever, so hopefully it will not be a one-off occurrence!
For those struggling with exactly the same problem, don't give up, keep at it! It has been a real battle of wills but I think we are definitely 'winning the war'!
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I hope MD is aiming to make a career with horses. She has a gift, and it would be a shame if more horses cannot benefit from it.
 
Thanks akelly, I know it's only a little thing but refusing to stand still is one of the most infuriating things ever IMHO, so it's good to see an improvement!
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M_M, you are so nice! xx
MD is very good with things that she likes, which is usually hairy, snotty things with attitude & if she has any gift at all, it is in creating a bond with something that makes them want to co-operate with her & in her great sense of timing, something that is often lacking in people far older than 14! lol

She never fails to praise for effort either, no matter how small the improvement & I think this is the key to her 'success', as people all too often seem to withhold praise until they have achieved perfection!
MD has been taught that even if 'slightly cr*p' is the best something can manage at its current ability or level of understanding, then they get full praise for 'slightly cr*p' & next time, they'll try a little harder!
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Well done MD!!
She really does have a gift with the erm, tricky ones doesnt she?

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She has a good talent for picking up on the 'intelligent, basically good-hearted but slightly misunderstood' types & once she's committed to something, will defend its honour & intentions to the last & would only give up on something if there truly was no hope of improving it or making friends with it!

Her ponies love her because she is always totally honest with them, they know exactly where they stand with her & she never takes them for granted - praise is spontaneous & enthusiastic & that kind of attitude is nearly always infectious!
She knows that motivation, encouragement & praise is the quickest route to 'success', as without it, you have nothing to build on!

(Sounds bl**dy obvious really but I am constantly amazed by how many people don't seem to have grasped this basic fact! Yes, you can often force, bribe or frighten a horse/pony into doing what you want but they'll never do it well, consistently or happily for you & we only work 'long-term'! lol)
 
That does me good. JAK It's just so lovely to hear someone get so much satisfaction and joy out of "one small step" - so many people just want a quick fix. I'm sure another small step will lead to another and another and another...
 
Well done and it is the little things that count. On Saturday I rode Stinky out the school and 200 yards down the lane all by himself - first time ever and he has only hacked once before with Cairo - nothing to most people but a huge thing to us.

Don't forget lots of little things put together make one big thing.

MD really does well with the awkward ones doesn't she. Really do wish she was closer so she could help me out with Stinky - not that he is awkward.
 
Thats great! I find horses that wont standstill to be mounted so annoying. Your daughter is doing so well!

Cassandra
 
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