Today started out with a lesson, and Regina had us work on getting Tweed’s attention fully on an obstacle before beginning it. The goal is to get him to pay attention to his feet up and downhills. She said he has a tendency to look past obstacles. At the top of a hill, he’s looking 20 feet past the bottom. At the bridge, he’s looking 10 feet past it. Etc.
It was excellent work for Tumbleweed and paid off on the trails. I collected him before each hill, then released him and let him make his way. He was much more careful picking his way up and down.
The dynamics with the new horse were different than Tuesday. The companion was a seasoned gelding who has done lots pack trips. Tweed wanted to be right on his butt, and he didn’t mind. We forced Tweed to lead off and on, but Tweed preferred to follow him. (That was an unusual behavior for him.)
So, while Tweed did much better this ride, we didn’t have the same connection we did Tuesday. He wanted to be more connected with Gunner, the golden old boy. I think Tweed would have even liked to join his herd and go home with him. Lol.
It was a 3 hour day for Tweed, and the boy was just so tired!
Is this fun yet, Tweed? It is for me, but I’m not sure you’re loving it.
I have to say, when I groomed him to prepare for the lesson and ride, my whole body and spirit were filled with happy endorphins. He has become my happy place, and I hope he will grow to love our rides as much as I do.
He seems to want to, and probably will, when they’re easier for him.
You are getting a solid foundation on him- good work!
ReplyDeleteI wonder- is it when there are mares he rides with that he wants to lead? and was he just happy to follow the gelding? Maybe this relates back to his herd dynamics when he was growing up.
I find the one step at a time exercise helps horses to focus. It worked great for Ruby when she just wanted to rush through the gate, and with Rio when he wanted to just blow through the L and stepped on the logs.
We all need a happy place, mine is with horses too.
Yes, it was with the mare that he took the lead. With Obe, Tuesday, he was happy to follow, but he stayed way back and we seemed like we were in our own world. He wanted to be right up on Gunner yesterday, and his rider told me that Gunner actually prefers that having started life on a pack string with horses and mules. Tweed must have been picking up signals.
DeleteOne step exercises are great. We will be doing a lot more of them. Our homework for the week is to set out poles at varied space and lunge, then ride him, over them at different gaits. She thinks he needs practice strengthening and using his whole body, as well as being deliberate about his steps. Fun stuff we can do here at home between rides.
He’s a sweetheart and it’s easy to be happy in his presence. He was so relaxed when I was grooming and tacking him up, then did so well for the lesson, too. Definitely tired at the end of it, but I think proud of himself, too, as he should be. Lover boy material!
I bet Gunner just exuded calm and confidence which drew Tweed. I think that he likely enjoys it, even if not all of it. I can’t imagine he’d be happy with you ignoring him. But I also think that horses don’t spend too much time wondering if they’re happy. (Teasing ).
ReplyDeleteVery true, they don’t contemplate their happiness like we do. I am looking forward to the day he walks past the trailer and signals, let’s keep going. I’ll consider that “happy trails for Tweed.” For now, I think you’re right that he does enjoy some of it now. He’s always happy to load into the trailer. Being around new horses used to be stressful for him, but I don’t see that anymore. Scary stumps haven’t been an issue lately. When it all clicks, I think they learn to really enjoy exploring out in the world.
DeleteYour trainer is very intuitive. By trying & doing, you have already achieved happiness! Tumbleweed no doubt feels it as well, but a horse is a horse, of course of course :)
ReplyDeleteHa, yes a horse is a horse and has good days and bad days, just like us. Even Cowboy, who generally loved a trail ride, wasn’t brimming with happiness at every single one I took him on. I have definitely reached nirvana with our rides, haha, but I’m not the one doing the hard physical work. That is the one thing that really stuck with me from Thursday, I need to do more conditioning work with him between rides.
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