Retraining Dollie

[gotkiger]

The trainer put the shoes on her two days after she got there before he started working her. He would not accept her without them and wanted his farrier to do them. Oh. I told him what her feet looked like when i got her home and for some reason he thought I was upset with him??? I dont know why I wouldnt be upset. He never talked to me while she was there I had to pry information out of him. I was so glad to be done with him. I almost fear having to have Frodo trained now. I have two years before he is started to find a decent trainer that I like and to save up the money for the training. I am about an inch away from trying to send him to someone in Texas because I know at least there he will have good care and excellent training, I just dont know if they will accept him.

Dollie is a trooper. She will heal and we will figure thing out. I am extremely excited to see what we can do together.

[fantasykiger]

I am glad Dollie is home with her Mommie ;D

[gotkiger]

New video coming tomorrow... but for now I have a new favorite picture of Dollie




Looks like I am getting Dollie ready for her next rider

[fantasykiger]

love that picture

[gotkiger]

Here is a new video that was done Sunday 5/6/12. I have her in a smooth snaffle and the western saddle. She was on edge about something (i'm guessing the bull calf) the closer I got to the camera. We had a few miscommunications and oops' but we went back and tried to fix them.


youtu.be/sfYdQXQgbx8

[DianneC]

Love the look on your daughter's face! I think you have the makings of a horse crazy girl there.

[gotkiger]

Thanks she squeals and gets all squirmy with excitement every time she sees Dollie. I was so excited wen she decided that horses are awesome.

[DianneC]

Watched the video, much better, you two look good together. She was quite willing to go and seemed happy to be ridden. Your hands were nice and you seemed happy with how she felt. Coming along nicely I'd say. Nice do over when she moved off when you mounted.

[gotkiger]

Thanks. I'm still relearning her and her me buy we are getting there.

[Michelle Clarke]

Sara...thanks for sharing your video. This is a good starting point for our new project.

Sara has agreed to do a correspondence training course with me over the internet using this board. It is such a great thing for her to put herself out there so everyone can learn and we can surely have some real fun along the way.

We'll be sharing lots of video and information. This is not the easy or short road for sure; we will be working on developing a real partnership with Dollie that she will enjoy and willingly participate it. While we will work on building her strength and teaching a more natural carriage for longevity - that is the easy part. We will address many emotional issues and mental blocks/resistances that present themselves along the way. All of these barriers must be broken down or else we wind up with a horse that works mechanically with no passion for the training and relationship with Sara.

By viewing the video Sara posted, I see many things that need to be addressed.

So, Sara...after reading the above - are you still ready for this journey??!!

[gotkiger]

Heck Yeah!!! Willing and ready. Let the journey begin. I have so much to learn and I can't wait to begin. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

I hop you all enjoy and learn along with me.

[fantasykiger]

very exciting and yeah! what a wonderful idea and great plan I look forward to it.

[DianneC]

So neat, I have a lot to learn too.

[kigerfan]

This will be great to watch

[Michelle Clarke]

I am going to start out with sharing what I see when I watch the video. I like how you get off her when she moves when you first mount, then get back on. However, she basically ran off with you at the stop. Just the fact of you getting on sent her forward. You had to start out the ride grabbing ahold of her face right away.

One thing you can do to help the saddle stay in place and not pull on her withers is hold the rein and her mane in your left hand and put your right hand across the front of the saddle on the raise below the horn - don't grab the horn. This takes some getting used to. You want to stay over her center of gravity, which is right behind the wither at this point.

I am going to make a video today of the mounting task for you, so she will learn to steady herself and stay put while you mount. 90% of accidents with horses happen while getting on or off, plus this sets up the mentality of your whole ride.

Two quick things on your position...your stirrups are too short and makes you sit way back in the saddle with your legs forward. You are sitting behind the motion of the horse and the horse has to drag you with her instead of you going together. If I pulled the horse out from underneath you, you would land on your butt. You want to be in a balanced position of strength from your core...more later on that but start by lengthening your stirrups one hole to start if not two.

Second, lose the spurs. Spurs are for refinement - not getting basic energy and turns. If she is unresponsive to your bare leg, there is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed - like respect for the rider.

Okay, that's the first 38 seconds of the video !

Do you have a rope halter and at least a 12' lead? I am going to send you one of ours anyway but I am hoping you have one to get started with until then. So pm me your address please.

So, today I am going to get a basic video on haltering, saddling, mounting and your position. We'll do some basic groundwork too and show you how to start using the halter/lead and your body position.

Onward and upward!!