The spring muds are still taking their toll. I have had one Halfinger with glue and special shoes and now the second has lost a lot of hoof due to the abscess capsules finally falling away. I'm not trying any more heroic measures. They are in no discomfort so I'm just going to let nature take its course and when good hoof is back, they will return to their jobs. I have other horses that can use jobs and attention.
So... back to the Big Guy.
Yesterday he lunged well and gave me some good yields with whip to "buttons". No, not whipping him, just using it to develop pressure point communication.
Out of the stall he came with his Clinton Anderson rope halter on.This is a great, versatile halter. since their are no European style Cavessons available for Mick, I have had to improvise. This rope halter works great. Not all rope alters are created the same and I can only recommend the Clinton Anderson for this task. It has knots in just the right places and is made of a sturdy but pliable rope-giving it the necessary tension. While he stood ground ties, I applied a roller (surcingle) and walked him to the tack room where i added his Dr. Cooks Bitless bridle. I have already blogged on the success I had lunging him in this bridle. Today, I had set higher goals.
After lunging both directions, I found him very stiff on one side. No surprise here. What horse isn't? so I found a larger area and lunged him where he would have more space and could stretch more. The BB did its job. As always, he played rodeo Percheron with the upward traditions but they were mild in comparison to last years displays. for those of you who have never lunged a Percheron, bucking, pulling on the lunge line are something to be avoided. Thank goodness I have a strong set of shoulders!
Next it was time to do some ground driving. Previous attempts have been unhappy trials. Runoffs, rearing, etc. Now that I am down to two horse that are working, I have more patience and a BB! Off we went, down the drive. I had thought about staying in the pasture to contain him in the even of a run off but.. the pasture is rougher and tough on my knees so gamble I did. Things went really well. I started with circles before I moved down the drive. This gave both of us "a feel". Then we cautiously moved down the drive. Finally, he seemed to understand that my steps cannot match his and he moved quietly so I could keep up. We had no battle. he moved and look like a gentle man. the BB has given me a calm boy. I am learning he needs to hear calm in my voice. I cannot raise my voice if he picks up his pace. I must calm him down. he listens and responds. Turning was no great trial. I worked a little and ended on a good note. What a good boy!
Whether he gets a harness and cart or just is a ground driving champ, these exercises take him far in his development.
No comments:
Post a Comment