As I was working with Tweed, the last post synthesized into the title of this one: the holes can hurt you.
We don’t know where the holes are until we are put to the test, but when they are revealed (and they will be), it’s our responsibility to address them. For Tweed and me, it boils down to fitness (body confidence and awareness), exposure (wet blankets), and the Respect which leads to Trust.
It isn’t good enough to have 80-90% because that hole, the 10-20% can ruin a ride for both of you.
So, I started to look at everything with a critical eye: where are the holes and how do I fill them?
If he comes off the trailer looky loo, I give him a job.
If I go to throw the saddle up and he takes a couples steps to the side, I stop and bring him back.
If he has trouble with hills, I ride him up and down hills and, like today, even back him down hills to put more emphasis on picking up those back feet, and placing them carefully where I ask.
I reevaluated the obstacle course, too. Tweed does them all well, except one—the teeter totter bridge. That bridge exposes the holes better than any. He lacks the confidence and trust to do it. I was letting it slide, but then thought, NO, that is exactly the 10% more I’m going for.
We did that today, too. He started by giving me only two feet, but we were able to get all four feet on by the end and called it good. For now. That’s the best he’s ever done, and I want to build on it.
We worked hard for an hour and half today, which means tomorrow we can do a trail ride. We did a solo ride on Tuesday, and I found some “holes” around the equestrian campground.
We walked over the logs, and lunged up and down the hills around the campground, with a couple of horses whinnying for him. It was great practice for focus. This was all done in-hand, but tomorrow we will do it all again in saddle.
Time to fill in those holes and get to happier, magic’er trails!
These posts are very inspirational to me. I feel like that is what I’m doing with Quaid right now.
ReplyDeleteYes, we seem to be in very similar circumstances with our boys.
DeleteOh that title- don't I know it!
ReplyDeleteI really miss having someone to ride with.
I hope you’re feeling better! Sometimes it’s really hard to see the holes, especially when horses are good at hiding them. Tweed isn’t very good at hiding them. 😆 yay! I have enjoyed my time alone with him this week, but look forward to joining back up with friends next week. The plan is to do both, but we get more accomplished alone.
DeleteI am much better, thanks. Those "holes" are why I was hurting though! I took for granted that what I had been doing was enough and was so pleased with her that I neglected my pre flight check list, so in reality the "holes" were in me not seeing that she wasn't ready.
DeleteWe could probably all improve at finding the holes. When I boarded at the same barn as my trainer, I’d often hear her yell out to me, “Did you see that?!? He just disrespected you!” And I’d scratch my head trying to figure out what she meant. One time she jumped the fence, ran over to me, and started working Cowboy right then and there, giving him a lesson on proper boundaries. I invited her help. I wanted Cowboy to succeed and I was his 5th owner in his 7 years of life.
DeleteI am so happy that you’re healing up!
DeleteYou are absolutely right. The holes can (and eventually will) hurt you.
ReplyDeleteLove your shadow photo!
Thank you.
DeleteOh, the holes. I am finding that it is rapid progress to get to the 80-90% and exponentially slower progress to get the 10-20%. It will take time.
I followed you to your blog from GunDiva's blog. (I've followed her blog for years, having lived in Colorado and known many of the places she writes about). I read back a bit in your blog about Tweed. What a sweet, gorgeous horse! Is it possible that he needs to build up his hind end so he can collect his legs under him? (You did mention going up/down...great way to help build those muscles.)
ReplyDeleteHi. Welcome to this blog from Gun Diva’s blog! You are spot on. Although he does have a big butt, the muscles necessary to do this work are weak. Not only that, but he isn’t used to using them. The very thing he doesn’t like doing, hill work, is the best way to strengthen them. (Also regular pole work and collection). That is part of my 3 pronged approach: fitness, exposure, and respect.
DeleteThere’s a lot to that fitness portion, as he is also an easy keeper and gotten fat this year. After a two week “diet” he has lost exactly zero pounds. I babysit my grandson full time, and that keeps me from riding him as often as he needs. I’m trying to at least do pole work on days when we have a small window. Also, he’s on flat pasture here at our house. That’s unfortunate.
I’m finding the 10-20% of this whole thing to be slow going, but I do believe the fitness part plays a significant role.
Thank you for your insight! I’ll be updating this post tomorrow with his progress. 😃