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Post by gotkiger on May 21, 2012 11:56:24 GMT -5
The rope I used for frodo was just a cotton clothes line that I got at lowes. He broke it a few times so im not too worried about Dollie not being able to break it if she gets stuck. She wouldnt be in there permanently. probably we would walk over from her pasture to the corral to work and then back once we are done.
Michelle: I have 2 question from working with Dollie and Frodo today.
I just went out and worked Frodo with the leading exercise to see if what happened with Dollie was more me or her. He seemed to accept it and got out of my way every time I changed directions I am still not sure if I am doing it right. Would it be alright if I can get my husband to video me doing the exercise with him to even see if I am doing it right?
Secondly, I know it is with Frodo more, but when I am working with him and I ask for a turn or change of direction he always pops up in the front and leaps to the side, sometimes all four feet get up off the ground. He still get out of my way quickly but it there a way to get him to stay down and just walk or trot over instead of jumping like i lit a fire under his bum? The reason I ask is because Dollie did it to some degree and once she got to the other side she kept going and just about ripped my arm off.
Bucket training: Dollie still wont come near me unless I chase her into a smaller pen and basically corner her (I really needed to put fly spray on her this morning and brush her mane and tail). She is staying back from the bucket nicely (about 15-20 feet or more) while I am preparing her food, and she stays away until I get in my truck and start to drive off. Then she comes trotting up acting like she owns the place and throws her head in the bucket. Do I need to camp out until she walks up nicely or as long as I am out of the way fine?
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Post by Michelle Clarke on May 21, 2012 15:56:02 GMT -5
Sara... my Internet has been down and I am trying to do everything from my blasted phone, so be patient with me getting back with you. I will see what I can get answered tonight ...
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Post by gotkiger on May 21, 2012 16:05:35 GMT -5
not a problem, take your time. I took some notes on your last video and am going to go back out tonight and try to rework both and maybe get a video if i can get it to work for me.
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Post by citykid on May 21, 2012 20:49:31 GMT -5
This thread is addictive ......
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Post by gotkiger on May 21, 2012 21:34:15 GMT -5
I didn't get a video tonight so maybe furring my husbands lunch tomorrow
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Post by gotkiger on May 22, 2012 12:15:41 GMT -5
I got video of both Dollie and Frodo. They are now uploading to youtube so i will be back on this afternoon to attach them.
Dollie did better but is super jumpy around me still. Frodo wanted to be worked, lunged, to get some energy out. Both were caught tied and I turned on the camera. Nothing else. Though it might have Done Frodo some good to be lunged first or at least run around his pen.
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Post by Michelle Clarke on May 22, 2012 13:40:51 GMT -5
Okay, internet back up! Don't worry about Dollie, she'll settle down - stand your ground and don't feel bad for her. yes, young ones need to expel some energy before focus time for sure. If you can set up panels, that would be best - if not, I'll get you some on line stuff but it will be harder because I am not there to coach and I can't help with foreseeing what is about to happen so we can address it - meaning if she is going to get pissy or pull the rope.
Are you saying Frodo pops up withe the leading exercise changing directions or on the lunge? With the leading exercise and the closeness, he most likely needs to hop up in order to get turned around and jumping sideways is getting out of your way - much more respectful than the other one right now! Just make sure you are not over asking - do as little as it takes and as much as neccessary. If he is giving you energy, don't push, just direct it. Only push if he stops his feet or gets sluggish.
Looking forward to the videos...
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Post by gotkiger on May 22, 2012 13:57:14 GMT -5
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Post by fantasykiger on May 23, 2012 12:57:33 GMT -5
This is a great thread..I love all the information. I am glad you are OKay gotkiger and sharing your learning experience here with us. I did watch your videos. Dollie reminds me alot of horses I see that come from trainers that like to lunge horses by putting them on the end of a line then sending them out at a canter for 20 min. before they saddle up to ride and the horses come back forgettting how to walk on a line, then it is up us to make repairs. Then when your horse doesn't respect your space or leadership well here we are watching and learning with you  thanks again for sharing this with us. |
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Post by gotkiger on May 23, 2012 13:58:39 GMT -5
Not a problem. I am glad to help if I am. If someone else can learn from my mistakes and better their relationship with their horse then I am happy to show all.
Dollie is doing very well with the food/bucket training she knows she must stay back until I drive away not just shut the truck door. It will be interesting to see how she does when I move her in two weeks to frodos corral with the stall
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Post by Michelle Clarke on May 24, 2012 7:16:54 GMT -5
A few quick suggestions...though it is hard to tell in the video, even when Dollie or Frodo are walking next to you in a good position, it seems you push them on. You have to give them a break and show them what you want and where you want it or else there is no point to the exercise besides running around you. You also need to stay in a straight line and not move off of your focus - sometimes you are all over the place.
Slow your hands down and remember - don't pull. Slide and hold. Take your time and don't rush, you are feeding way too much extra energy into the horses.
When you stop at the end of the line, why do you let Dollie just run around you in circles? Are you meaning to do that? You are not teaching her to match your energy - you have none, she is learning to ignore you and just run around in mindless circles with no focus or purpose.
All groundwork done must relate to riding or what is the point. Your lead rope is your rein - so if you are pulling on it or she on you, then that is what happens under saddle. If you want her to give you a lot of extra energy when you are riding and you are quiet - then that is exactly what you are building with the groundwork right now.
The physical part with Dollie is not going to be hard - it is the mental and emotional so you need to start looking at things a different way.
Frodo is already pretty respectful of your space, so you don't need to push him so hard - you'll just frustrate him. The tight turns are a lot for him at this age because he is not coordinated enough to get turned around so fast at those angles on command yet and he pops up to help that. Learning the angle of the horse is something we will discuss as we go.
Great job Sarah - keep up the good work!
Are you ready for pen work or do I need to do an on line video today?
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Post by DianneC on May 24, 2012 8:38:05 GMT -5
I did notice that Dollies ears were softer, she never did pin them and when you walked up to her the were very soft. I think she's getting the message!
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Post by gotkiger on May 24, 2012 10:10:12 GMT -5
I will be getting a few panels to make the smaller pen by this weekend or to make the pen in frodos corral. But he will be there as the friend who was going to take him for a little while flaked last night.
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Post by gotkiger on May 24, 2012 10:15:26 GMT -5
I have the worst balance in the world so the slightest tug on the rope sends me off my line. Though after i went back and re-watched it I do see that I was every where. It is funny watching yourself on video, you don't think you do so much or move as much as you do but then you go back and see what you did and you are really amazed. I have a ribbon that I will put out to walk on to try to stay better. I was told by another trainer to just let her go. If she wants to run mindless circles then let her until she stops and matches you. I think I need to ignore everything he told me as it is making less and less sense. I will do another video of me and Dollie and see if I am doing better with knowing a little more of what I should be looking for. Thank you
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Post by gotkiger on May 25, 2012 21:08:08 GMT -5
Round pen is up and running. I even tested it out on Frodo and he didn't seem to mind. Dollie will have her turn in the morning
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thanks again for sharing this with us.