What used to take 15 minutes to get Sonny out of the barn and into the pasture, is now the total time it takes me to get him to the round pen. I was impressed to say the least. We got in the pen, and at first Iwas only going to walk around with him and then stand quiet with him. He was fine, showed no signs of stress or being anxious, and even gave me the inclination that he might want to work a little. My neighbors were not there, so I did not have to worry about their race car and dirt bikes screaming up the road. Sonny can handle all of that, but under the circumstances I was pleased that we were alone.
I sent him around for a few laps, had him change direction and then I stood quiet in the center. He used to keep running after I stopped, but this time he stopped turned towards me and walked in to join me. We stood there for a few minutes, and I sent him off again. This time I used verbal commands to change his gait and direction. He did great (except the verbal que for turning was new to him)! But he did good with that as well and I was very pleased! He was still very relaxed and eager to do more. I had him follow me around, and worked on some "manners" as far as not getting into my space. Sonny, actually never had a problem with that. He would have a tendency to stay further out, than to crowd me. But as he (over the years) built his trust and confidence in me, he is a gentleman in that respect. I stood in front of him, and walked into him, making him back up, and using the verbal "back" command. This is something he does very well. Even when he's in his stall and crowding the door. I tell him to back up and he very politely steps back two or three steps without hesitation or nervousness.
After we did that I decided to send him around again. I said whoa, he stopped, turned towards me and joined up. I thought this is really cool, let's try it again. We repeated this about three times, and I noticed that every time when I said "whoa" , he actually didn't whoa (or stand still for a few seconds), but simply stopped his gait, turned towards me and walked in to me with a purpose (not angry or stressed, but certainly not slow and with his head down either). I thought hmmmm, this can't go on like that, he needs to know that the join up is done with ease, and not with the "intent" to run into me. So I sent him off again, and we followed the same steps, I said "whoa" and again he came in towards me, but this time, I approached him with the same attitude he had towards me, but I got in his "bubble", and when I did, he bolted about five feet away from me, I firmly said "WHOA", he stopped in his tracks, I took three steps back, and waited for a response. Within ten seconds (seemed like forever) he licked and chewed, dropped his head, and joined up with me. I was thrilled. I praised him, and then we ended the lesson.
We got back to the barn, brushed Sonny a bit, and then turned him out to pasture. Feather was anxiously waiting to be turned out as well. Before I turned her out, she also got brushed and pampered a bit.
Of course all that brushing and cleaning that we do (and we take pride in that) is just an excuse for our horses to go out and find the best spot to roll and put as much of that dirt back on their bodies---which is what they both did......
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Thank you so much for your comment! I have left another trial update over there. They wanted me because I actually had a phone conversation with him on Nov. 13 (that is what you get for being nice!)
I so much love being able to keep up with your horses & you here!! :)
Way cool on the way Sonny backs away from you!
“I approached him with the same attitude he had towards me, but I got in his "bubble", and when I did, he bolted about five feet away from me…” This is so neat. This is why I love being able to understand these horses.
It sounds like you had a wonderful session!
You wanna hear something funny? I think because Dreamer got a massage, my blog was blocked by my internet filter as pornography! Hahaha I had to get it un-blocked.
Glad Scott and Thomas could share horse-husband woes. Scott definitely needs a support group.:)
Hi Marion,
Round penning teenagers, now THAT is a great mental image~ :-)
Thank you for your input. I appreciate all the wise insights a lot. It is so funny how all of a sudden a whole new world of understanding can open up to you.
What is the DVD you mentioned?
Also I really like Parelli's book Natural Horse*Man*Ship, it's about $17. soft cover ordered from a bookstore. It really helps a lot, I highly recommend it. He even talked about a horse's spirit and what it is. (Some horses having more, and not wanting to break it.)
Dreamer IS good as soon as I state my limit. He is highly sensitive so it IS scary when he suddenly "leaves" me mentally~
but Parelli says it all starts with emotions, and if he is checking out mentally (usually due to fear) and his body is following physically,
I will not have it all in hand until I have him more emotionally fit.
The Parelli exercises are formed to create emotional fitness first, stimulate mentally/ keep his mind busy (which helps with buddy-sour), and then physically steps into line and follows naturally.
What is also interesting is my success with horses (or anything, for that matter) is only going to go as far as my own emotional, mental, and physical fitness. Mental fitness is the amount of information you possess. I know for me, emotional fitness is the limiting factor. It is that way with most people, too, I imagine.
for an update it looks like we will most likely be headed to trial in Sept. unless he accepts a plea and 25 years.
Talk to you soon!
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