new steps ... twice. Well, actually next steps and a repeat: Saddled again and then because it went well added stirrups. Thats actually a two-fer, because I walked him around with the stirrups tucked up, and then down swinging sat his sides. Neither of them posed any problem from him, although when I tucked them back up before taking the saddle off, the slapping of the leather made him alert - too alert. That Whazzat?! sort of thing. Once again, an indication that somewhere a fear was instilled. Its also increasing clear its not the tack per se that bothers him, but the process. Tacking as a verb triggers not a direct fear of that but an indirect fear in anticipation, because once we get through it by distracting him or just working through it, hes over it - and calm. He EXPECTED something that didnt happen. No idea what. But thats his BEHAVIOR, one he did NOT have before, and on thats becoming less of an issue with each success. Thats the plan for the next few days or so, remembering that the HORSE will effectively set the pace. Sure, I try to push, to get to a next plateau, but not so hard that it causes a new problem, a new bad memory. So, when I try to put on the saddle and something spooks him so it falls off while he runs a few laps, thats not a major thing provided he doesnt trip on the saddle or lead rope and hurt or frighten himself more. Hes done that twice (last week) and both times he settled down quickly and we went back to it, able to then end on a good note. Hes not comfortable enough yet to just tie him to a rail or ground tie him & get him saddled. Thats the goal, of course, so well keep setting him up for success until hes bored, then try the next step: bridle & reins.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 18:29:39 +0000
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