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Circle in the sand
Mar. 11th, 2007 08:42 pmFirst off- a correction- Trudi is 4, not 3. Sorry, my mind is not what it once was. Oddly, all of my horses have been chestnuts and were 4 years old when I got them. Anyway, we put the saddle back on today and she didn't care at all. Took her to the indoor, led her around the perimeter, then turned her loose. She just kind of stood there. I got a lunge whip and she immediately started to circle me- she free lunges well in a nice big circle, and even reverses, which is cool. But I need her to learn how to go on a lunge line, so I put her halter on and snapped on the line. At first she was totally confused, and simply kept trying to stop and face me. I realized why Peggy lunges with the whip in a reverse grip-- that way she can use the handle to help push the horse's shoulders over. Eventually Trudi figured out that me pushing her away and clucking meant "Go around me" and we ended up lunging in both directions. I'm sure it will take some time for her to get really comfortable with it, but she seems reasonably smart and willing.
After lunging her a little while I walked her around outside. I brought a dressage whip and used it to help move her shoulders over when she crowded me. I also remembered reading something about raising your left hand near the horse's head when they get too close and that helped. We walked through some mud puddles, which seems to really freak out some horses, and she didn't want to go through them either. But you never know when the arena you ride in will have puddles, so we worked on it untill I could lead her through them. Her coat is already looking better since most of the long winter hairs have been transferred to my mouth and clothing.
Ever notice how difficult it is to spit out a horse hair? Pro-tip: Don't make the mistake of trying to wipe your mouth on your sleeve.
I wormed her before I left and she did not appreciate it. "Phlegh Phlegh BLECH YOU'RE TRYING TO POISON ME! Agggh GAAAH I'M DYING.". Maybe next time I'll hollow out a carrot and fill it with wormer. Trojan carrot?
After lunging her a little while I walked her around outside. I brought a dressage whip and used it to help move her shoulders over when she crowded me. I also remembered reading something about raising your left hand near the horse's head when they get too close and that helped. We walked through some mud puddles, which seems to really freak out some horses, and she didn't want to go through them either. But you never know when the arena you ride in will have puddles, so we worked on it untill I could lead her through them. Her coat is already looking better since most of the long winter hairs have been transferred to my mouth and clothing.
Ever notice how difficult it is to spit out a horse hair? Pro-tip: Don't make the mistake of trying to wipe your mouth on your sleeve.
I wormed her before I left and she did not appreciate it. "Phlegh Phlegh BLECH YOU'RE TRYING TO POISON ME! Agggh GAAAH I'M DYING.". Maybe next time I'll hollow out a carrot and fill it with wormer. Trojan carrot?
