Introduction to the Horse Course

Grooming and the Horse Course 

Enjoying some yummy grass.

Day 12:

It's hard to believe its July already.  The horses didn't seem too upset about Fireworks on the 4th of July.  The previous session, Opal had a not so good experience going home, so today since the other mares in her pasture were turned out we worked on walking in and out of her pasture.  One of the mares in the pasture next to her was still trying to throw her weight around, but one mare to shoo away is easier than 4.

Today I wanted to give Opal a good grooming with the brush, see how she took it being brushed with something besides my hands.  She loved it.  She gave me to trouble, until we took a few pictures together, she didn't want to smile for the camera I guess.

All clean!

Time for another test for Opal and me.  I can catch her in a pen or arena, but can I catch her while she is turned out grazing with other horses?

Mare's just wanna have fun!

The answer is yes, Opal can be haltered any where she might be.  She really enjoyed being out with other horses roaming and romping around the ranch.  A good day for everyone.

Day 13:   

We started the day with a grooming and grazing while I put my arm across her back to her other side.  I stroked her side and walked along with her, keeping close to let her feel something against her sides.  Occasionally I would ask her to move over by applying some pressure on her side.  First attempt she went to nip at me, but was greeted with my pointed finger poking her nose.  the following attempt went much better.

Today was a horse course for several of the horses in training today.  New obstacles set up, new challenges to work through, all while breaking up the sometimes boring work of the arena.  (Lets face it, it can be a drag all the time)  Plus, when you mix up your training, you sometimes discover something to work on that you wouldn't have noticed....like a super-duper, highly frightening, extra scary SADDLE AND SADDLE PAD!!!!!!!!!

No horses were harmed in the filming of this horror sequence.

Braced against the lead rope and halter, Opal was NOT going anywhere near this....or so she thought.  Carrots anyone?  We took several steps closer to it, all while snorting and looking at me like I was crazy.  I hugged her, rubbed her face, told her it would really be ok.  Finally we got close, she reached for some grass and that bad old saddle pad jumped out at her and BIT HER ON HER HEAD!  She snorted and backed up.  

MOM!  Look out!  It might get you too!

It looks scary to me.

 

Finally I got her back up to eat the carrot off it.  Saddles and pads are scary...noted for the future.

Time to head to the Horse course, a permanent arena where we set up and have permanent obstacles to work with.  I wanted to see how much she would do, but didn't expect her to do them all at first.  Today we have a bridge, cavaletties, poles in the shape of a L, a hill with steps as well as a easy up and down path, a pit to walk into and out of, poles holding a rug down, poles in a zig-zag, tires, and a teetering platform.  Lots to work with.  She did each one with ease, can you guess which one she didn't like?  I'll give you a moment to look through the images and I'll tell you after....

Horse Course.

The bridge.

Cavaletties.
  

The "L" poles.

 Zig-Zag poles.
 

 The hill and the Pit.

 The Carpet / Tarp.

Piece of cake for each of those, but the teetering platform was a heck no, no way, no how.  At least that's what she said at first, and the second and the third.  It took me a while to get her back to the platform, she was wanting to rush past me to get away from it. We took a break and addressed another obstacle to build her trust and confidence.   I approached it slowly with her, giving her lots of love and praise.  She stepped up on it with her front two feet and struck and pawed at the wood with her hooves before putting her hind legs up.  She's a big girl, guess she wanted to make sure it was solid :)  

It moves, but it won't get me.

I couldn't have asked for a better first round through the horse course.  As long as I am with her when she is unsure and I'm confident in my skills, she will follow me.  Love this mare!  

 

 

Standing and the 'Mane' event

Standing and the Mane Event 

There you are Mom.

  

Day 11:

Yesterday was hot again...105 hot, and early mornings at the barn are hard this week.
Today, however, I was out by 7:45 am. Today was the 'mane event'. I walked up to the pasture and Opal walked right up to me and let me haler her.

Ready to go!

We walked over to my tack room where there was grass for her to graze on. I knew this would be doing this in phases. She didn't mind me putting the Cowboy Magic detangler in her mane, she was content munching on grass. I got 1/4 of her mane undone before her break.

 One strand at a time.

I turned her out in the arena for her break and let her say hi to the other horses who were turned out to graze and run. She really likes Shaman, but Whiskey really likes her...what is a mare to do?
After her break I have her a flake of alfalfa and looped the rope over the tie hook. Not enough to stop her if she pulled back, but enough that with my hands or foot I could provide some tension so we could work on being tied up.

 Lead rope is up and out of the way of her hooves and my feet, but easily accessible if I need to get her attention.

Opal gave no resistance to having her dreads brushed out. I probably went through 1/4 bottle of Cowboy Magic, it really is magic, though I've known that for years.  While Opal didn't stand perfectly still, she did stand well for her first time. A hour or so later she was all untangled.

 The bucket is full of loose hair and knots, but she is all brushed out.

It was hot out, so I turned on the hose and walked her back and forth over it. She was hesitant at first, but with carrots and the clicker, we walked over it calmly a few times, but still was not thrilled about it.  In good time.

 I'm not so sure I want to walk over there with you Mom.

Time to call it a day, or so I thought. The mares in the pasture with her decided they wanted to remind Opal that she was bottom of the pecking order at the gate as she walked in. Opal backed way up...and back and back and back. No amount of encouragement was getting her back near the now open gate. 2 mares slipped out the gate, including my Ehawee, who took off running to the arena. Opal feels safe with her so she pulled back, and I let her go. I knew I could catch her, but I needed to get the other mares away.

Once I got the other mares back in the pasture, Opal and I went into the green pen to calm her down and get her listening to me again. She was still timid once we got to the pasture gate again, but each time she stopped, I walked up to her, pet her and spoke softly to her, letting her know she would be ok and I was there to protect her. Once in the pasture I stayed with her, unhaltered, just petting her and talking to her. She followed me to the gate and I gave her a hug, and she wrapped her head around me. A small set back ended with an amazing moment.

 

Graduation Day

Graduation Day 

 

Opal and Ehawee turned out in the arena. 

Day 10:   

Opal has done amazingly!  She is responsive and trusting.  She has come so far in what seems like such a short period of time.  Really, I have spent 2-5 hours with her each of these days.  Not all in one block of time, and not all asking her to do something for me either.  Some of that time was for cleaning her pen, some of that time was watching her eat, some of that time was eating my lunch and taking breaks in the shade of her shelter.  Letting her get to know me in our down time is equally as important as the training sessions.  That's my biggest piece of advice for any one with a new horse...spend time with them, get to know them and let them get to know you both in and outside training.

Yesterday the mares had the day off, both were happy to see me today.  I walked into the pen and Opal approached me.  I slipped on her halter, walked out the pen and headed for the arena.  She walked beautifully.  No stopping, no tension in the lead rope, stayed right with me every step as if she had done this a thousand times before.  I removed the halter and turned to walk away form her, but she followed me, so we played a game of follow the leader.  She trotted and even cantered to catch up to me, but once her head reached my shoulder, she would slow down and keep pace with me.  We weaved in and out of the barrels and cones in the arena, she never hesitated.

Ehawee joined her in the arena as well.  Opal had not been overly thrilled with the water being sprayed in her stall Sunday, and with it being hot today I figured now was as good as any.  I filled up the small water bucket and began to hose the dirt near it down.  Ehawee walked right up and let me squirt her all over with the hose.  Opal was content letting the water run into the bucket and touching it that way.  A good start.  I slowly began to spray the dirt again and on occasion would put a carrot in the stream.  It didn't take her long to be brave enough to get that carrot.  She let me hose off her legs below her knees, but wasn't thrilled about the rest of her.  Next thing I know, Ehawee and Opal and enjoying rolling in the cool sand.  Pony see, Pony do right?

Next, it was time to meet the other 2 mares Opal would be sharing a pasture with.  Since the arena is neutral territory, we introduce them in there. I brought in one mare at a time and let them work out who the boss would be.  Opal was content to hide behind Ehawee while this was sorted out.  Opal is the youngest and is still settling in to her role in her new home.  A few expected and normal squeals and kicks later and everyone was happy and grazing.  Time for the second mare.  Round 2 went as smoothly as round 1.  

 Mares working it all out.

After they sat in the arena together I took the mares back to their pasture.  With everyone tucked in and the temperature nearing 100, it was time to call it a day.

 All moved in to their new pasture home.