May 18, 2018

Mikey: worked on asking him to slow down his picking up his front leg because I want him to HOLD it up for longer (3-5 seconds) and not just stomp it down!   My (click/treat) timing is slightly getting better…I’m trying to reward him just for measured, calm pick ups of his front legs. I also worked on whoa (I would walk a large circle around him).  He decided to add one tiny step back just as I clicked and treated for a successful whoa and then thought I wanted that tiny step back throughout...I had to clear that up for him. Also worked on  back and yielding his haunches to a touch of the whip. He seems to really enjoy the sessions.

Plato: He was (it seemed) excited to see me. He even trotted!  I carried my dressage whip and am using it much like a conductor with his wand…he has to stop when I raise it vertically…he has to back should I wave it horizontally in front of his face; and he must yield whatever quarters I indicate should I tap him lightly on those particular set of quarters (hinds/ fores). I made him move about for 12 minutes in his pasture…some transitions, some back steps, some yielding of his haunches and a lot of trot/walk transitions with me trotting alongside him…was encouraged to see his brightness and forwardness despite the heavy heat!  Did give him some treats throughout.  As I told you I gathered up the old hay string left in his new paddock and tossed it in the garbage can near the outdoor arena.

Duchess: she seemed to have thought about my request(s) that she move her forehand sideways should I touch, prod, lightly tap with the whip on the meat of her shoulder. She was SO MUCH SOFTER about yielding to this request.  She got my methodology from what I did on Tues. and did not take offense or get flustered such as she had on Tues. when I began this process of asking her to yield her forehand during ground work. I also lunged her at trot and a bit of canter.  She was (at first) wonky going left but I let it be and took time with her and I switched her back and forth direction-wise and by the end she was trotting better (less lame) even going left (counter clockwise).  I noted that in canter( to the left) she guarded her hind end a bit and was using both legs a bit like a bunny rabbit so I only had her canter 1/4th of a circle in that direction.  Going to the right she was much better in all three gaits. Very pleasant about answering my requests to halt and walk.  

Lily: I started lightly teaching her to p ut her head down. She also allowed me to simply walk up to her and slip a lead rope around her neck and then. lead her over to the water trough area because that is where I “hid”my fly spray. She allowed me to spray her body (I got real good up under her belly—the summer sore area) and I wiped fly spray on her face…particularly around her eyes. I praised the heck out of her.  Then slowly slipped the lead rope off of her. She seemed surprised that I did not make her do anything else other than that.  I am hopeful that tomorrow when I see her again I will have a better relationship with her and once again will work on the head down idea with her.