Monday 13 February 2012

Happy horse is back...

Today, after a week of overnight temperatures around -12°C, it was a wee bit milder, more like a normal winter's day; and Lucie was waiting for me at the gate this morning, ears pricked. So was it the cold that was making her grouchy? It seems that horses get very tired keeping warm in very cold weather and this was the reason she hadn't wanted to leave the field the last few days. She was completly different this morning. She greeted me with interest, was playful, and when I stood by the gate, she came over and gave her head for the halter. Quite the opposite of her behaviour earlier in the week.

Once out of the gate, she was full of beans, head up, ears pricked and as we went for a walk, she was prancing and playful. At one point, in a patch of clean soft snow, it was obvious she wanted to roll so I stood back and let her; she was really enjoying herself. Sometimes a bit too much and I had to shut her down and remind her I was there, but she took it as it was meant, without offence. I found her some patches of green grass as recompense, being sure to move her on at my pace, which she did willingly.

It was lovely to have her so enthusiastic and playful; I hope it lasts! I am much more comfortable in dealing with the horse that showed up today.

Sunday 5 February 2012

January update

The weather has been alternately very wet, very cold and now snow. Our outings have been rare. I had a go at the interdressage practical horsemanship 2 for January; it might have been presentable had I not got the test wrong a couple of times. Lucie does the turn on the haunches but on the first I didn't ask her enough so she finished crooked. Also left the gate open so she stops on the first pass. We tried the test agian but she was fed up with the repetition, and the camera battery ran out... This is it: http://youtu.be/ZvYyUajvZdc
Her attitude overall wasn't bad, but I'm not really taking her with me, and I'd like her responding to my body more.

Last Sunday I attended a one day course with a French man who practises l'équitation éthologique. It was at a friend's place, so I couldn't take Lucie. But I was able to play with one of my friend's horses in the morning, and ride another in the afternoon. There were 5 participants/horses and the rest of us watched and learned. There was only time for a brief turn each but we learned some valuable things. Once again, I could see the power of getting the body language and the timing right. Interesting to watch the different horseanalities.

The more I improve my body language the better respect I get from Lucie.

I now believe that her earlier over reactions were due to my inconsistencies. She needs me to show that I'm consistent and to be that leader she's looking for. As long as I am very consistent I can be firm, and she accepts it.

By being firm and fair I can get her respect and attention. I now have to find a way to persuade her to enjoy doing things again.

I am also looking at the evidence that her horsenality is changing - and that I've been slow to spot this!!! I've been treating her as right brain introvert but the dominance I'm bring up is more left brain, which is good! My over reactions and bad timing with phases were not giving her time to think, and are sending her back where she came from - right brain reactions, which we don't want! Again, work on myself... because when I get it right, I can see in her that I have!