Well I talk and talk and talk about my horses on my other blogs, then I finally get a project. Then I remembered I have a blog built specifically for the project horses! So here is Savio day three:
Normally I am a great procrastinator and put off riding to the weekend if I'm lucky. But I have been consistent with working Savio every day without rain. Day one I rode and I was pleasantly surprised with how much he knew. Gaits are fine, leads went without a hitch, figuring out going in the bridle (thank you draw reins) and yeilding to the leg but not quite advanced enough for the more demanding movements. Day two I was not up for riding, but I have wanted to see if he could jump. I lunged him, which he knew VERY well, listened perfectly. Jumping was a bit of a challenge, I could tell he has never been asked to go over something with such forward impulsion. However, once he figured it out and thought ahead two strides, preparing himself, instead of waiting to the last minute, his form just got fancier and fancier. Little sucker is a hunter!
The next day was too rained out to do anything, but I was happy for the break. I was utilizing the time to organize my tack box and get other such training nicities in order. Our neighbors moved two horses to their place the day after I moved Savio to mine and my little herd has made friends with them. Silvie, the closet jumper and self-appointed queen, got it in her head that she must trot to them this very second. Now Savio and Silvie have been unseperable since his arrival so he went trotting down with her, but for different reasons. He absolutely did not want her socializing with the neighbors when the rest of the herd was in the barn. He directed her away in the classic stallion fashion: lowered his head to nearly the ground and pinned his ears. Oh did I mention he put on a BIG trot as well?! I was like, "wow..." Little sucker is a dressage talent!
Moving onto day three. I wasn't sure what to expect riding wise, but I had this great desire to go out on the trail. Savio was tolerant enough to go riding however much he wanted to stay with the herd. Walking on the street I wanted to give his feet some much due concussion and see if the terpentine is working. What was fun was when we came up to the speed markers. You know the white strips on the ground letting you know a stop is coming up so slow your ass down? Yeah he gave a good look at those but I told him, it's just like jumping the other day. He decided to step over them like cavalettis... SWEET! Walked to the end of the street and trotted back using the speed markers for extra training. A very sure footed little guy and dealt with traffic like a saint though NO ONE went slower than 25mph passing us. I could have thrown a rock at those idiots. But little did I notice little Savio was riding better! He went into the bit easier, longer, happier. His walk felt awesome, trot was a mite big but slowed down lovely. I wasn't into cantering him that day as trot work is the best for building muscle, plus it was more of a mental workout than anything else. He did pavement, he did grass and he did water. He was great.
Cheyenne. . .
An eight-year-old silver bay frame overo american paint gelding. Fabulous jumper. This large pony has free jumped four foot oxer on a three foot spread with the finese of Germany's cherished young prospects. This pony is a children's hunter jackpot. The fault?
He is literally scared of everything.
Cheyenne's flight instinct is so strong he flinches when you bring your hands up to pet him, if you get him to stay there without a halter. In the brief moments you have his trust and see his true nature, there is a very affectionate horse. He needs direction and time and patience.
Each interation, in order to get anything done, is a minimum of an hour. Starts with twenty minutes of submission of his head as there is favorablity of throwing it up, we like it down. Some jingling of the blanket. And a walk without leadrope.
That is not always the best idea but with certain people it helps for their brains to be overly aware as to process information swiftly in case of potiential obstacles. Then it's chore time. Cheyenne is on the crossties, every gate is closed as the cross ties are break away, and stalls and general ruckus making is ensued. The blanket is taken on and off, left on to fall off, anything to push him out of his comfort zone. Even at this point it is still flinch flinch flinch, scoot scoot, looooooooong look with that eye, flared nostrils. Then lunge time, with either stud chain or bridle. Lots of halt halts to prevent excessive pulling as his greatest desire is to run away from you. For the better part of an hour. Both directions.
He'll come around. His jumping talent is too exciting to not give him a chance.
Ever had this horse problem?
You go to ride your horse. First, you have to catch him.
With halter in hand he walks away as you approach.
Who hasn't had this problem?!
Instead of catching your horse, why not teach him to catch you? Wouldn't that be somethin'!
Here's how.
Put your horse in an arena or large corral of some sort.
Get two or three friends to help you. Make sure they're patient people.
Have each person carry a lead rope with a halter.
You get on one side of the arena.
Have your friends drive your horse to you by swinging their ropes toward the horse.
When the horse comes toward you, your friends stop swinging their ropes. If the horse stops (which he likely will), they swing their ropes again to drive the horse to you.
As your horse gets close enough to you AND he approaches you, you start backing up - but back up slower than he comes to you.
When you back up, the horse senses an opening. It's also not as threatening and it actually gets him to lock onto you.
Now here's the crucial part...
Watch your horse's body language. When he's telling you he's looking to you, then don't back away any more.
Just stop, and let him come to you.
DO NOT catch him at this point.
Simply pet him.
Let him stand there and kick back for a bit before you halter him.
At this point, you can either stop for the day or release him and see if you can catch him.
If you catch him by yourself, then quit for the day. You will be shocked how much impact that'll make on him as he thinks about it over night.
If you can't catch him again, then repeat the process I layed out.
Ultimately, you want your horse to think of you as the best place to be in the arena. You want him thinking that with you it's relaxing, comfortable, and peaceful.
Be sure your helpers are especially watchful of the horse. It's crucial they release the pressure of the swinging ropes when your horse moves to you.
Likewise, it's important they drive him to you when he stops short.
Adios until manana.
Sincerely,
Andy Curry
