Post by ecklandshorses on Oct 9, 2007 8:53:19 GMT
Ouch, I spent an Hour with Elaine Heany last night working on "Cloud" a very large, very green, 1/2bred hunter type horse. Cloud arrived with us recently, unstarted but quiet and sociable. We worked with him for a few days, got him riding and are working on reducing his considerable girth (A VERY FAT HORSE). As he has only half a tail and a good bit of growing to do, i decided this would be my horse for all level one work with Elaine. :PI spent most of last week working with Cloud on the ground, he learned quickly to do Hindquarter and Forequarter yields, leads beautifully, Backs up with slightest of pressure, is pretty unflappable around plastic bags, poles, dogs, etc. I had already ridden him in bridle and bit and decided by thursday he was ready for riding in just a halter.
So I got up, alright no problems.. Asked him to walk on, still good.. Trot.. No problems.. Canter.. still good. HQ Yield, FQ Yield all great, Back-Up was terrific..
;D I was delighted and couldn't wait to show Elaine what we had achieved in a week.
Elaine arrived at about 6pm (Feeding Time) Cloud almost refused to leave his stable, focused only on food he made a general hash of the ground work before finally focusing and getting on with it. The riding was a bit better or at least it was to start. We sort of managed to do our Yields. Walked and trotted a circle on inside rein, and backed up. However, as is liable with all young horses Cloud became bored with the lesson and re-focused on feed. He decided he had had enough and started to back across the arena. So I spun him around, brought him back and re-focused him, all was great for about 5 mins and then he was off again, backing up at speed and heading for the gate, so once more spun him around and back to the lesson. This process repeated itself about 5 times until finally he decided that he would just get on with the job.
The Moral of this story: Had two great teachers last night, Elaine as always was super, explaining things clearly. Cloud however thought me even more, he thought me that horses are individuals and will not always behave as you expect them to. and above all he thought me that if you want a young horse to focus on his job make sure he has been fed earlier, is not been taken away from his normal routine and IS NOT HUNGRY.
Your horse is without doubt your greatest teacher.
Cheers
DaveK