Trying some liberty work

Ambers Echo

Ambers Echo

Still wittering on
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13 October 2017
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I had a short window to use the school this morning so I decided to see what Amber woul;d be like without a lunge line. I use drawing and sending body language and changes in my own rhythm and energy anyway when I interact with horses so I wondered how she would be. We have not done this before so I am delighted with her! She listened, she responded, she tried to follow my doubtless slightly dodgy instructions!

Love her so much. She is just naturally co-operative so will do what I ask if she knows how. But it did feel pretty amazing having her comply so willingly when she was completely free to go where she wanted.

 
She's very cute! I do a bit of liberty work with my boy, he's great at the close stuff but anything further away from me requires lots of snorting and some added prancing. Such a useful tool to have though, mine will stand loose in the barn while I'm untacking for example and then wait until I'm ready before going back to the field or stable.
 
What a lovely horse. I used to this with my arthritic one just so he could move freely without straining himself on a small circle. He was an absolute star, but because we're on a large yard, I stopped doing it when other people were about, because a couple of owners thought it was an easy way to exercise and ended up damaging the fencing.
 
Funny you should post this! For the last week or so I've been doing liberty work with my horse for the first time and I forgot how much fun it is!

It's nice to see them let loose and move freely sometimes!
 
dogatemysalad said:
What a lovely horse. I used to this with my arthritic one just so he could move freely without straining himself on a small circle. He was an absolute star, but because we're on a large yard, I stopped doing it when other people were about, because a couple of owners thought it was an easy way to exercise and ended up damaging the fencing.
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Loose schooling is not generally allowed on our yard either so I was a bit cheeky to try it really. But 'loose schooling' used to mean people using the arena as turn out or encouraging their horses to jump massive obstacles! So I might see if the yard owner is happy for me to carry on if no-one else wants to use the arena at the time. I really enjoyed it so I'd love to play around some more with this.
 
I was amazed she just followed my directions. I had no idea what would happen but if you'd asked me to guess I'd have said she would either come to me for a head scratch, go and roll or wander to the gate. Weird thing is she hates being lunged with a passion so I rarely do it. She complies but pulls all sorts of bitch face expressions letting me know that she is doing this under sufferance! She was much happier doing exactly the same sort of thing but without me holding the rope. Wish I understood what goes on in their heads. I'd love to do more of this now.
 
nice horse, i do this all the time, its a lovely change and pure fun, so good for horses

i must say you have a lovely canter yourself!
 
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