Lexie's 1st training session.....

[Kat]

Well, I was finally able to work with Lexie today - Yahoo! - and I'm so proud of her, so I wanted to share:


I went and cought her in the rope haler and lead - my fav for babies - and went directly into the paddock/pen (its a paddock with the corners boarded to make it more "round"
She is a sweet pony, but being half arab she can be prett flighty, and she is soo insacure. When she gets scared she either wants to run or jump in your lap. She enjoys the company of people, but she is still so untrusting, and I can tell that she does not want to let her guard down. When I looked at her standing, her lips were tight - no licking, chewing - muscles tence, and tail tight against her. I don't really follow just "one" profecionial. I like to take bits and peices from just about everyone, and combine it with my own experiances of what has worked for me in the past.
I started off by just doing give and release thing - put the leadline to her withers - some pressure, but no too tight - as soon as she gives to te pressure, I drop the lead down. She is soon touching her left sholder, though her right side take a bit longer, so I'm thinking this will be her stiff side... I try to work on yeilding her hindquarters, and making her face me, but she is so guarded, and non trusting, and TENSE, that I TTouch her instead. I really work on her muzzle and mouth area, since that can really help to relax a tence horse - I used to do that to all the racehorses before I galloped them! - and did general massages all over. I also TTeamed her with the whip, stroking her all over and teaching her to go foward when I touched her butt, and to halt when I touched her chest. Of course I was never harsh or rough with the whip - I want it to relax her - not terrify her ;-) She finally relaxed and let out a sigh and started licking and chewing, but I could tell she still wasn't totally relaxed. I sent her on her way, to free lunge - I rarely use a lunge line - and started working on her, to teach her voice commands (Good Guuurl, Walk On, T- Rot! Ho O, And Walk, etc) In no time she was walking, troting and halting on command - it was still a bit to wet for her to canter, though she did on her own, I never made her do so - but along the time when most babies are doing the "joining up thing" ie wanting to face towards you, and follow you, she still wasn't going to give in. I'd take a step toward her, and she'd take a step back, and sideways. I kept at it though, and did a LOT of baby steps - literally. When I woudl get close to her, I would rub on her face, and then step back, facing her rear. I did this for lord only knows how long, but she was still keeping her guard up soo much - I knew she needed to get her confidence up, so on to Plan B..... I attached a plastic bag on the end of the lunge whip - I don't have a dressage whip, so I wrapped the long tassle up around the whip. She was terrified of it, and was certian that it was going to eat her. I held her on a long lead, and walked away from her in big circles and loops to keep hjer moving and following me, all the while batting the plastic bag on the ground. from side to side. Whe she was cool with that, I waved it in the air, when she was fine with that, I faced her, and walked backwards, whopping the bag on the ground again. I never touched her with the bag - hopefully that will come later - since I knew she wasnt ready - but I could tell it had boosted her confedince. I again, let her free lunge, and by now she was willingly following me, and trotting off, switching direction on command. Again I cought her, and like I do with all my horses, ened the session with the neck yeilding and TTouches on both sides. I am so pleased with her progress just in one day!
I'm sorry this got so long.....If this totally bored y'all, just let me know :-) Can't wait to post pics!!

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Hey you gave me some good ideas with the leadline at the withers! How do you do that exactly? Just bring it up to the withers until they bend to their shoulder and release? Good idea!

I want to teach Zane how to lunge but I'm not sure if I should free-lunge first and then teach him with the lunge line?

It has been too wet and rainy for me to do anything and I got sick again. Now I'm on antibiotics but it doesn't seem to be working! Glad to see someone is getting some training done!

[Kat]

I guess a lunge line works for some folks. but everytime I've had to teach a baby how to lunge and I had to use a lunge line - because I didn't have a place to free lunge - it always turned into a big fight untill they cought on. Yes, the free lunging can be slow going at first, but I find that it is WAY less stressfull for the horse - and for ME for that matter. Also, a horse that has been properly free lunged and tought voice commands will take to a lungeline like second nature.
As for the neck yeilding, Clinton Anderson is really big into it - as are a lot of "natural horsemen" (I hate that term) Well - I searched the internet looking for a pic of what Im talking about, but really its simple. While holding th eleadrope, put your hand on your horses withers, causing pressure on the horses halter - again, I like rope halters - Whatever yoiu do, do not let up or move your hand untill the horse gives to you. Once he does though, imediatly give to him. Just keep doing it untill he is willingly touching his nose to his sholder/side. This could take a while, or not long at all, depending on the horse. Then repeat the process on the other side. This is GREAT for helping those horse who panick and pull back if tied up, or in cross ties. They eventually learn to YEILD to pressure instead of pulling against it. It's also great for stretching there neck, and making them more flexable.


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