A quick session in the yards after bringing the horses in from morning pick. Wwylm in an imaginary circle, head down, mirroring. No mugging...yet. One evasion I saw coming and didn't act upon. Should've walked away but stayed even though I knew he was going to quit. Still, not the end of the world, still learning.
But worse was to come. Balthazar started to mug and put his mouth to my breast. I reacted and slapped him, not hard but it did make a 'slap' sound, on his muzzle. He jerked his head away and pinned his ears. I stared at him for a moment and walked into the stall giving us both some time out. When I joined him he was reluctant to join in. He'd take the carrot and then go back to grazing. Finished when he was doing wwylm well again.
Finished with some gentle nail scratches around his face which he seems to enjoy. Regret that I slapped him. Didn't mean to, just felt suddenly vulnerable and did it. Again, not the end of the world but of course it sets us back a little. He won't forget. Interesting that he pinned his ears. Violence begets violence.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
19
Excellent, excellent, excellent! Again didn't work for two days because of weather so was interested in seeing how he was after the break (last time was Mug City!). He was already in the paddock so went out to meet him. He saw me so rewarded him coming to me and then continued to the wwylm circle. No evasions, no mugging! Granted, I did walk away a couple of times but he simply changed directions and followed me. He was mirroring much better too, taking a step back almost immediately rather than mulling it over as previously. The stallion behaviour, except for the nickering and dropping, was in abeyance too. Once, when he came up behind me and I thought he was going to mug, rather than doing so he turned his head away. I waited until he swung it back almost straight and c/t'd.
Another big joy from today happened as we walked the wwylm circle. I've been c/ting as he followed me but not attempting to position him at my shoulder (previously at my shoulder, with his stallion behaviour was not a good idea). Today I took a step, perhaps two, then c/t'd him so that he stayed at my shoulder rather than lagging behind then catching up to get the carrot. This worked well for the mirroring as well. Did one or two verbal hean downs and he complied almost immediately. Very proud of him. Big jackpot at the end.
One other thing, because he was at my shoulder it wasn't always possible to stretch his neck out to get the carrot, but even though his neck was arched he didn't go over the top stallion behaviour wise.
Another big joy from today happened as we walked the wwylm circle. I've been c/ting as he followed me but not attempting to position him at my shoulder (previously at my shoulder, with his stallion behaviour was not a good idea). Today I took a step, perhaps two, then c/t'd him so that he stayed at my shoulder rather than lagging behind then catching up to get the carrot. This worked well for the mirroring as well. Did one or two verbal hean downs and he complied almost immediately. Very proud of him. Big jackpot at the end.
One other thing, because he was at my shoulder it wasn't always possible to stretch his neck out to get the carrot, but even though his neck was arched he didn't go over the top stallion behaviour wise.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
18
Took control today. Did an "Ah!" when he started to mug and he backed off immediately. The session was much more businesslike. He did evade a few times (as did I in walking away) but we also did some decent work in verbal cued head down. He also started, only barely, getting the idea of keeping pace with me as in wwylm but stepping backwards when I do. I bend slightly forward when beside him and take a step back. I c/t'd for a weight shift back. He was slow to catch on - we've tried it a few times previously, but at the end he seemed to be getting the hang of it. He actually took two steps back. He backs brilliantly when I'm in front of him and has unfortunately incorporated that into head down most of the time. Once verbal head down is down pat, I will try to separate it from the stepping back.
The stallion behaviour was less obvious today, perhaps because I assumed an air of authority rather than being this spineless blob. He is at the bottom of the pack and perhaps he would like to have at least one creature below him on the rung. I was starting to be that creature. I didn't touch him today. No elbows raised to block. He did touch me once with hs muzzle but I let it go. At least it wasn't the full on mug of yesterday.
The farrier came today. A few trims ago, so a few months, I asked him to start incorporating a natural trim, mostly for Drifter who had feet that reverted to winged slipper shapes between trims. I have no illusions about being able to ride Balthazar barefoot on gravel. Our ten acres is grass, no rocky places to harden his feet but the farrier did say he is developing a sole. His soles were so thin I could use finger pressure to make them give. This is terrific news.
The stallion behaviour was less obvious today, perhaps because I assumed an air of authority rather than being this spineless blob. He is at the bottom of the pack and perhaps he would like to have at least one creature below him on the rung. I was starting to be that creature. I didn't touch him today. No elbows raised to block. He did touch me once with hs muzzle but I let it go. At least it wasn't the full on mug of yesterday.
The farrier came today. A few trims ago, so a few months, I asked him to start incorporating a natural trim, mostly for Drifter who had feet that reverted to winged slipper shapes between trims. I have no illusions about being able to ride Balthazar barefoot on gravel. Our ten acres is grass, no rocky places to harden his feet but the farrier did say he is developing a sole. His soles were so thin I could use finger pressure to make them give. This is terrific news.
17
Right. I got all hard with him just now. Lost my temper. Ditched the laudable ideals of c/t. Started badly. Haven't worked with him in two days. Actually started well as I started to groom him and then because he was standing in an awkward place thought I'd put the halter on him so I could place him in the right place for me to work on him. Waited patiently and he turned his head to me for the halter. All very nice. He was nice being groomed until I worked on his off side and then he attempted to nip. Stuck my elbow out and finished. Can't see any reason why he should nip - and he often does from that side.
When finished grooming I removed the halter, strapped on the bag and stepped outside. And he was all over me; pushy, mouthy, yuck. Then he evaded. He was so excited he couldn't bear to be near me. It was a repeat of pushy, evasion, pushy, evasion. Finally he settled a bit and we worked on head down - which he is finally beginning to understand the verbal cue. But there were still lots of evasions - on both sides. I frequently walked away either because he was getting too excited or because of suspecting an evasion was coming on. We did get some nice weight shifts and a couple of step backs when I stepped back (and just as often a walking forward to evade). I was often having to use my elbow as a block to keep his head away from my body.
I went and stood at the entrance to the peach paddock and he eventually joined me. Did some sloppy wwylm interspersed with evasions. I eventually c/t his head down eating evasion because he at least wasn't mobbing me. Then we were walking back to the yards and he just crashed into my space, into ME, with his body. I elbowed him, hard, twice as he went by. And that's when I got mad. Thought why am I being such a wuss and ALLOWING him to mouth/slobber/mash/crash his head into me. I used body pressure then, making myself very big and strong and backed him away when he came towards me. His eyes showed white. He was surprised and not pleased but I didn't care. I was sick of not being respected. The treat machine had revolted. Keep your distance or I'll MAKE you move away. I never touched him again but I must say his behaviour was much better.
I'll have to find my own way with this. We've been working on the mugging for months and just when I think it's getting better it gets, like today, much much worse. Enough. I want to be his friend and someone who is pleasant to be around but I've had enough. Ditto the stallion behaviour. If he respects my space and knows although he will be c/t'd like mad when we're working, he is not to get so sexually excited that he *loses* it. If he knows we're *working*, I suspect - and could be very wrong - that the stallion behaviour will diminish. I think there has to be a balance. So far, it's been all his own way. He has a temper tantrum (pawing, half rears) when the carrots aren't forthcoming and he's got a hard on, but giving him multiple carrots only makes it worse. If there's respect coupled with the game playing and learning perhaps it will work. My walking away when he gets too excited hasn't taught him anything apparently. I'm just a treat dispenser that's moved away. A treat dispenser that says NO when he's disrespectful will still give treats when he settles down and plays the game.
I may regret this tomorrow. I may find this is not a good idea. But for tonight, it is.
When finished grooming I removed the halter, strapped on the bag and stepped outside. And he was all over me; pushy, mouthy, yuck. Then he evaded. He was so excited he couldn't bear to be near me. It was a repeat of pushy, evasion, pushy, evasion. Finally he settled a bit and we worked on head down - which he is finally beginning to understand the verbal cue. But there were still lots of evasions - on both sides. I frequently walked away either because he was getting too excited or because of suspecting an evasion was coming on. We did get some nice weight shifts and a couple of step backs when I stepped back (and just as often a walking forward to evade). I was often having to use my elbow as a block to keep his head away from my body.
I went and stood at the entrance to the peach paddock and he eventually joined me. Did some sloppy wwylm interspersed with evasions. I eventually c/t his head down eating evasion because he at least wasn't mobbing me. Then we were walking back to the yards and he just crashed into my space, into ME, with his body. I elbowed him, hard, twice as he went by. And that's when I got mad. Thought why am I being such a wuss and ALLOWING him to mouth/slobber/mash/crash his head into me. I used body pressure then, making myself very big and strong and backed him away when he came towards me. His eyes showed white. He was surprised and not pleased but I didn't care. I was sick of not being respected. The treat machine had revolted. Keep your distance or I'll MAKE you move away. I never touched him again but I must say his behaviour was much better.
I'll have to find my own way with this. We've been working on the mugging for months and just when I think it's getting better it gets, like today, much much worse. Enough. I want to be his friend and someone who is pleasant to be around but I've had enough. Ditto the stallion behaviour. If he respects my space and knows although he will be c/t'd like mad when we're working, he is not to get so sexually excited that he *loses* it. If he knows we're *working*, I suspect - and could be very wrong - that the stallion behaviour will diminish. I think there has to be a balance. So far, it's been all his own way. He has a temper tantrum (pawing, half rears) when the carrots aren't forthcoming and he's got a hard on, but giving him multiple carrots only makes it worse. If there's respect coupled with the game playing and learning perhaps it will work. My walking away when he gets too excited hasn't taught him anything apparently. I'm just a treat dispenser that's moved away. A treat dispenser that says NO when he's disrespectful will still give treats when he settles down and plays the game.
I may regret this tomorrow. I may find this is not a good idea. But for tonight, it is.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
16
7 minutes. Liberty. Peach paddock. Today, when I said his name, he came over to greet me. Mugging was an issue, again. Walked away several times because he was in my space. Hopefully he'll catch on. God, I hope he catches on. This mugging issue has been going on for far too long. He does do other things. He was much better, sharper, at mirroring. Doing it almost immediately. Want to finesse that so it's just a weight shift, so that he has to really concentrate. If he concentrates that may push the stallion/mugging behaviour aside a bit. Also worked on verbal cue head down. Still not got it. Not his strength but we'll get there. Wwylm around the cones. Quite good. That's where we also mirrored. He is offering 'back' in lieu of head down, because I c/t'd them both when we first started head down. Now he's offering it too much so I don't c/t it. Said head down, he backed away from me so that he was actually behind me. Watched his shadow and c/t'd when he finally did it.
No evasions today and very pleased he came over to greet me.
No evasions today and very pleased he came over to greet me.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
15
Ten minutes. Liberty. Peach paddock. Wwylm around the brick circle used in lieu of witch's hats. Verbal cue Head down and backing when I back, forward when I forward - perhaps I'll call that mirroring. I wasn't going to work at liberty in the paddock, thought when he saw me in the yards he would come but he didn't so I went to him (that's something which gives pause as one would think all those carrots would have a horse running to eat them. Bet if I just gave carrots, ad lib, with no waiting for offered behaviour, no cueing, no walking in small circles, Balthazar would come running). Anyway, he did mug a couple of times. When he mugs now he crowds me with his head. He isn't actually chewing at me or the bag (with the exception of the other day when my leg was stretched out behind me in an effort to *get* mirroring). I thought before it was a bad idea to give ground, that whole dominance alpha thing. Now, I walk away. With the treat bag. It was interesting as he didn't follow me but stood stock still. After 15 or 20 seconds I would c/t and we'd start again. Interesting for today I walked away (not for his mugging) but to avoid an evasion. He walked away too, in the opposite direction. I was first but perhaps I should've gone a second sooner. He did evade a second time too which wasn't good.
The stallion like behaviour, loose in the peach paddock, was a bit more intense than it's been. Because we were practicing wwylm, he was getting reinforced very frequently. He tended to float behind me although he did improve in the end. When the intensity mounted (no pun intended) I would walk away to give him a chance to cool down. I can tell he gets frustrated. I'm not sure if it's because he's so sexually excited or because he's not getting a continuous flow of carrots but he does this little half, not even half, eighth bounce, almost a rear, and kind of snort.
I think he is starting to get the verbal cue for head down. It's not instaneous but it is happening. I can almost see him putting two and two together. He backed with one finger today. He does know backing. I tried to c/t when he was rocking his weight back before he took a step. Wasn't always successful but we'll improve with practice.
I hope I can look back at these posts a year from now and see how far we've come.
The stallion like behaviour, loose in the peach paddock, was a bit more intense than it's been. Because we were practicing wwylm, he was getting reinforced very frequently. He tended to float behind me although he did improve in the end. When the intensity mounted (no pun intended) I would walk away to give him a chance to cool down. I can tell he gets frustrated. I'm not sure if it's because he's so sexually excited or because he's not getting a continuous flow of carrots but he does this little half, not even half, eighth bounce, almost a rear, and kind of snort.
I think he is starting to get the verbal cue for head down. It's not instaneous but it is happening. I can almost see him putting two and two together. He backed with one finger today. He does know backing. I tried to c/t when he was rocking his weight back before he took a step. Wasn't always successful but we'll improve with practice.
I hope I can look back at these posts a year from now and see how far we've come.
Monday, January 16, 2012
14
Two sessions today. One mid-afternoon, one after feeding up. In the first one I kept his halter on after grooming and we played with wwylm around the bricks, rather than cones, that I've got set up in the peach paddock. He did well. He stayed with me and although he was close behind me he didn't actually physically touch me with his chest as he had the first time we worked on it. Rather than reaching across my body to give him the carrot as I had done previously, I held the lead in my left hand (circling left) and treated with my right. That made it easier to keep him at a distance.
He was doing so well at this that I thought we'd change direction. I stopped and 'combed' the lead rope with my hands to indicate that I wanted him to change direction. I want him (and me) to start working from the lightest possible 'feel' rather than being directly indicated by pressure on the rope. The turns were a bit clumsy but okay. Really okay actually as they were accomplished with the lightest possible feel.
The second session was at liberty. Worked on verbal cueing of head down. He might be getting the idea although I suspect he is reluctant to offer behaviours yet. He is very much more 'with' me than previously. There were no evasions and the stallion behaviour is less intense. I thought he might be getting a bit ho hum with the head down so I stood beside him and walked forward. If he followed, c/t. Same with back. After a few goes he was shifting his weight as I did. BRILLIANT! The only time he mugged was when I was ahead of him at the start and he thought he'd nuzzle my hip, leg and shoe. I don't view that as a failure. He was just testing the waters and he didn't test for very long. Again, there were no evasions.
At the end, I gave him a handful of carrots, said All done! and threw the bag out of the yards. He continued to follow me as I cleared feed bins but he didn't mug. It was really nice.
He was doing so well at this that I thought we'd change direction. I stopped and 'combed' the lead rope with my hands to indicate that I wanted him to change direction. I want him (and me) to start working from the lightest possible 'feel' rather than being directly indicated by pressure on the rope. The turns were a bit clumsy but okay. Really okay actually as they were accomplished with the lightest possible feel.
The second session was at liberty. Worked on verbal cueing of head down. He might be getting the idea although I suspect he is reluctant to offer behaviours yet. He is very much more 'with' me than previously. There were no evasions and the stallion behaviour is less intense. I thought he might be getting a bit ho hum with the head down so I stood beside him and walked forward. If he followed, c/t. Same with back. After a few goes he was shifting his weight as I did. BRILLIANT! The only time he mugged was when I was ahead of him at the start and he thought he'd nuzzle my hip, leg and shoe. I don't view that as a failure. He was just testing the waters and he didn't test for very long. Again, there were no evasions.
At the end, I gave him a handful of carrots, said All done! and threw the bag out of the yards. He continued to follow me as I cleared feed bins but he didn't mug. It was really nice.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
13
Did a quick session in the yards this afternoon. All the horses were in the yards so I locked the others out of one small yard and worked in there.
There is a definite improvement in the mugging. He's still trying but it IS better. There was perhaps one evasion, when he looked off into the distance, but he remained pretty focussed. He definitely does not have the verbal cue for head down 'down' yet. He was better about straightening out his head and neck for a c/t. I walked around him and although he backed up a couple of times so he could stay close to the treat bag, he was better about staying put. I'm content to just work on this one thing until we've got it (that and head down for a little variety).
I think I'm supposed to only say the cue once and not repeat it. As usual I think if one is good three must be three times better. Have to work on myself as well as Balthazar. This is such a slow process that it could be frustrating but I think c/t and the concentration, patience and time it takes is EXACTLY what I need.
There is a definite improvement in the mugging. He's still trying but it IS better. There was perhaps one evasion, when he looked off into the distance, but he remained pretty focussed. He definitely does not have the verbal cue for head down 'down' yet. He was better about straightening out his head and neck for a c/t. I walked around him and although he backed up a couple of times so he could stay close to the treat bag, he was better about staying put. I'm content to just work on this one thing until we've got it (that and head down for a little variety).
I think I'm supposed to only say the cue once and not repeat it. As usual I think if one is good three must be three times better. Have to work on myself as well as Balthazar. This is such a slow process that it could be frustrating but I think c/t and the concentration, patience and time it takes is EXACTLY what I need.
12
Drifter died yesterday. Have written about it on the other blog. Obviously didn't work with Balthazar. The horses were upset and unsettled. Still unsettled a bit today but much better, as I am.
Often forget to look at my watch before starting so can only guess, certainly not more than 10 minutes, perhaps more like 5 or 7. Liberty. Yards. After grooming. We were much better today. He mugged but less intense and only a couple of times (seems like a refrain of the last half dozen posts but I am confident we will get through this). Also stallion behaviour much much less as I remembered to hold the treat out away from him instead of down towards his chest in my hurry to get it to him. This may be a slight hurdle when we work consistently on verbal cued head down but will tackle that later. NO evasions today. Not one. That is a triumph. Still reluctant to let me on his left side to play grownups but that too improved.
We started where he was standing after grooming, after I removed the halter. I moved easily from side to side, standing sometimes behind and he didn't budge. He only moved when I finally walked into the center of the yards. That's when he was reluctant to let me on his left. Did a couple of verbal head downs and c/t'd but don't think he's got it yet. As that wasn't the main focus of the session, I'm not concerned. That will come later.
When we finish I say clearly and firmly (but with a happy note) 'All done!'. I trust he will eventually understand what it means and I won't have to hurriedly remove the treat bag. So a good session.
After yesterday have spent quite a bit of time with the horses just being with them not interacting except to remove cobblers pegs. Perhaps it means nothing to them but it has meant something to me. They are all so fragile and so dear to me and yesterday's events proves how quickly one can be lost.
Often forget to look at my watch before starting so can only guess, certainly not more than 10 minutes, perhaps more like 5 or 7. Liberty. Yards. After grooming. We were much better today. He mugged but less intense and only a couple of times (seems like a refrain of the last half dozen posts but I am confident we will get through this). Also stallion behaviour much much less as I remembered to hold the treat out away from him instead of down towards his chest in my hurry to get it to him. This may be a slight hurdle when we work consistently on verbal cued head down but will tackle that later. NO evasions today. Not one. That is a triumph. Still reluctant to let me on his left side to play grownups but that too improved.
We started where he was standing after grooming, after I removed the halter. I moved easily from side to side, standing sometimes behind and he didn't budge. He only moved when I finally walked into the center of the yards. That's when he was reluctant to let me on his left. Did a couple of verbal head downs and c/t'd but don't think he's got it yet. As that wasn't the main focus of the session, I'm not concerned. That will come later.
When we finish I say clearly and firmly (but with a happy note) 'All done!'. I trust he will eventually understand what it means and I won't have to hurriedly remove the treat bag. So a good session.
After yesterday have spent quite a bit of time with the horses just being with them not interacting except to remove cobblers pegs. Perhaps it means nothing to them but it has meant something to me. They are all so fragile and so dear to me and yesterday's events proves how quickly one can be lost.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
11
Haven't worked with Balthazar for three days due to extreme heat. Just too much to ask either of us to concentrate when it was so uncomfortable. Spent a good 15 minutes grooming dried sweat from his coat. Horses must feel as uncomfortable as we do, not only to the heat but being sticky and salt streaked.
Anyway, when the halter goes on he knows he's going to be groomed and stands quietly. He used to nip at his chest (or me although he never tried to connect, it was just a warning) during grooming. Since c/t he seems to enjoy it, except for his face although even with that he's much better and he loves his ears being groomed. Strange horse. At any rate, I c/t'd him when he still had the halter on but had to wait until he swung his head away to give the treat. Once the halter was off he knew we were starting.
Generally he was pretty good. He stood quietly most of the time although he still mugged. I tried clicking evasions today. When his head went down to eat I c/t'd. Thought it couldn't hurt and if he was eating he wasn't mugging. We did have alot of success with me standing near him and c/ting, moving behind without him turning to follow me but didn't have as much success when I stood, or tried to stand, on his left side. He would turn to follow me and was more inclined to mug with me on his left.
He started walking around me in a circle (a lesser priority but still clickable) so I c/t'd that as well. I verbally asked for head down. It took a second or two but he did eventually lower his head. Another thing I did was give the carrot in a way that he had to stretch his head out to get it. Noticed that when I gave it close to his chest so that his neck arched to get it the stallion behaviour intensified. That sloppy treat delivery happened because I was trying so hard to get the treat to him quickly. It just takes a bit of oganizing to have the treat away from him so that he has to stretch to get it. Because of doing that the stallion behaviour wasn't nearly as bad so I've learned something about treat delivery.
Anyway, when the halter goes on he knows he's going to be groomed and stands quietly. He used to nip at his chest (or me although he never tried to connect, it was just a warning) during grooming. Since c/t he seems to enjoy it, except for his face although even with that he's much better and he loves his ears being groomed. Strange horse. At any rate, I c/t'd him when he still had the halter on but had to wait until he swung his head away to give the treat. Once the halter was off he knew we were starting.
Generally he was pretty good. He stood quietly most of the time although he still mugged. I tried clicking evasions today. When his head went down to eat I c/t'd. Thought it couldn't hurt and if he was eating he wasn't mugging. We did have alot of success with me standing near him and c/ting, moving behind without him turning to follow me but didn't have as much success when I stood, or tried to stand, on his left side. He would turn to follow me and was more inclined to mug with me on his left.
He started walking around me in a circle (a lesser priority but still clickable) so I c/t'd that as well. I verbally asked for head down. It took a second or two but he did eventually lower his head. Another thing I did was give the carrot in a way that he had to stretch his head out to get it. Noticed that when I gave it close to his chest so that his neck arched to get it the stallion behaviour intensified. That sloppy treat delivery happened because I was trying so hard to get the treat to him quickly. It just takes a bit of oganizing to have the treat away from him so that he has to stretch to get it. Because of doing that the stallion behaviour wasn't nearly as bad so I've learned something about treat delivery.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
10
Ah, the misplaced confidence of yesterday. Today was abysmal. Yards. Liberty. 10 minutes. He was already nickering and getting excited when I let him out of the stall. And mugging. Jeez. Followed me over to the tack room. Thought I'd groom him without a halter. He was following the curry comb around, but standing still, like it was a carrot. nickering, grabbing at it (and me). Let him smell it repeatedly. After a while he did stand quietly, but it did take a while.
Wanted to reward him for standing still for a long few seconds while I put the brush away but seeing the bum bag set him off. Lots of evasion and lots of mugging. Did play hide and seek around the water tank which was fun. Tried to c/t when he was aligned (straight along the spine including neck and head) and of course for not mugging. Yesterday, in comparison, he wasn't sweating much. Tonight he was very sweaty.
Attempted to c/t when he was standing still with me beside him but he kept turning towards me. Finally gave up and sat on the stump. The mugging was as bad as it's been; on my head, shoulder, even trying to grab the treat pouch. Eventually was capturing him straight and I c/t'd like mad. Didn't even give him time for an evasion, fed the carrots to him as fast as I could (as long as he was straight). Had some garbled thought that if he's that sexually excited (and he was, kicking at his pizzle) we'll work through it, keep those carrots coming. So it ended on a good note but I can only hope tonight was a form of extinction burst for it bore no resemblance to yesterday's success.
I am trying to be positive. This has to end eventually.
Wanted to reward him for standing still for a long few seconds while I put the brush away but seeing the bum bag set him off. Lots of evasion and lots of mugging. Did play hide and seek around the water tank which was fun. Tried to c/t when he was aligned (straight along the spine including neck and head) and of course for not mugging. Yesterday, in comparison, he wasn't sweating much. Tonight he was very sweaty.
Attempted to c/t when he was standing still with me beside him but he kept turning towards me. Finally gave up and sat on the stump. The mugging was as bad as it's been; on my head, shoulder, even trying to grab the treat pouch. Eventually was capturing him straight and I c/t'd like mad. Didn't even give him time for an evasion, fed the carrots to him as fast as I could (as long as he was straight). Had some garbled thought that if he's that sexually excited (and he was, kicking at his pizzle) we'll work through it, keep those carrots coming. So it ended on a good note but I can only hope tonight was a form of extinction burst for it bore no resemblance to yesterday's success.
I am trying to be positive. This has to end eventually.
Friday, January 6, 2012
9
Yards. Liberty. Five minutes. Only used hwat was left in the carrot pouch from yesterday. Stinking hot day, walked the dogs very late so everything was late. That being said, he did brilliantly with what we had. So much so that I c/t'd for not only not mugging but for straightening his head (not curving it away from me). He almost mugged twice but didn't touch me, realized (at last!) that it doesn't work. Very proud.
Would like to have a brief session during the day but as tomorrow will be mid-thirties or hotter, doubt it will happen. Know that he will improve out of sight with many mini sessions rather than one at night. Am surprised (and realize the value of keeping a journal) to see that tonight is session 9 - not counting the many practiced before recording them. It motivates and humbles me to know we've done so many and are only just now beginning to see a glimmer of getting the most basic of basic lessons down pat.
Would like to have a brief session during the day but as tomorrow will be mid-thirties or hotter, doubt it will happen. Know that he will improve out of sight with many mini sessions rather than one at night. Am surprised (and realize the value of keeping a journal) to see that tonight is session 9 - not counting the many practiced before recording them. It motivates and humbles me to know we've done so many and are only just now beginning to see a glimmer of getting the most basic of basic lessons down pat.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
8
Two sessions. Liberty. Yards. First one 6 carrots long. Second 5 minutes.
Progress! Went out and got Balthazar in just before they were released into the dam paddock at 3:30. He had his fly veil on still but just wanted to quickly play with 'grownups are talking'. He was brilliant. Quit while we were ahead (incidentally, no evasion). Threw the carrots out of the yards - a sign that we are finished, and led the mob to the gate.
Second session was 5 minutes and he only mugged twice. Yes, that's an improvement. He was really starting to get it today. I was even building duration. He pawed but I did not c/t and he only did it the once. Really feel it is starting to sink in. Again, I chose to sit on the stump. There were NO evasions.
Finally tried on the Trail Boots (Easyboots) purchased in lieu of shoeing. They fit perfectly. The amazing thing, when I wasn't c/t-ing, was that I asked him with a gentle finger to move his bum over onto the rubber mat (so that the boots wouldn't get dirty in case they didn't fit) and he moved like a breath, with utter softness. It was an unlooked for *perk* from the c/t we've been practicing. Very pleased with today.
Progress! Went out and got Balthazar in just before they were released into the dam paddock at 3:30. He had his fly veil on still but just wanted to quickly play with 'grownups are talking'. He was brilliant. Quit while we were ahead (incidentally, no evasion). Threw the carrots out of the yards - a sign that we are finished, and led the mob to the gate.
Second session was 5 minutes and he only mugged twice. Yes, that's an improvement. He was really starting to get it today. I was even building duration. He pawed but I did not c/t and he only did it the once. Really feel it is starting to sink in. Again, I chose to sit on the stump. There were NO evasions.
Finally tried on the Trail Boots (Easyboots) purchased in lieu of shoeing. They fit perfectly. The amazing thing, when I wasn't c/t-ing, was that I asked him with a gentle finger to move his bum over onto the rubber mat (so that the boots wouldn't get dirty in case they didn't fit) and he moved like a breath, with utter softness. It was an unlooked for *perk* from the c/t we've been practicing. Very pleased with today.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
7
Yards. Liberty. 10 minutes? Today we only worked on keeping his distance and not mugging. He mugged alot. We've got to get through this before moving on to anything else. Admittedly I made it hard for him (literally) by sitting on a stump in the yards with my back to him. I tend to move around more than I should and thought parking my bum on a stump would keep me in one spot and make me less likely to move away when he gets too forward. It worked but the consequence was he was in my hair, my shoes, my hips, even my face although I did put an arm up (with elbow uppermost) to keep him at bay. I did reward him for backing up (which got him excited and moving forward) and for standing quietly beside me. I would wait a few seconds and reward. He hasn't got it and his frustration was evident in a new behaviour, pawing. The pawing was a bit disconcerting. Also, he got quite grumpy, circling around me with a crabby expression and that lightened forehand which could be a percursor to something not very pleasant. I ignored him and stayed on the stump. It was only a momentary flash but illustrates that we cannot move on until he can control himself, until he absolutely knows that the only way to get treats is to maintain a respectful distance, not to mug and not to lose his temper. He also spent quite a bit of time picking at the almost non-existent grass. Like a cats 'when in doubt, wash'.
If he didn't get an erection and become so sexually excited life would be alot easier. He kicks at his pizzle and shows every sign of being uncomfortable. This is the opposite effect of what I would like to create. I'll just have to trust in time and quiet persistence.
If he didn't get an erection and become so sexually excited life would be alot easier. He kicks at his pizzle and shows every sign of being uncomfortable. This is the opposite effect of what I would like to create. I'll just have to trust in time and quiet persistence.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
6
Yards. Liberty. 10 minutes. The session started before it started. Once I let Balthazar out of his stall he was as close as my breath. I'd already resolved that we'd work on keeping his distance but as I had no carrots I had to keep pushing his nose away. We haven't done anything in 3 days as we've had company, wwhich seemed to treble his eagerness. He didn't want to drink so I started grooming him. Two days ago he rolled in mud which has dried to concrete. Yesterday I groomed him while he was at liberty and he stayed. I put the halter on him today which was the signal that nothing of a carrot nature was going to happen so he was calm and still while I chipped away at the concrete (still haven't got it all off either).
When I'd finished and strapped on the carrots he was THERE. Although he didn't *get* that he was to keep his distance at least I remembered not to treat him when he was in my face. Again I tried to stay ahead of him as far as the displacement (evasion; eating) went by I'm not good enough at observation to know when enough is too much. Mostly I just do a few c/ts and walk away; the scattergun approach. Even with extremely short c/t bursts he'd still occasionally put his head down and graze. I did consistently add the cue 'down' when asking for it and he was giving it to me although I suspect it was just something he tried to elicit a carrot and wasn't done because he understood.
We also did a little bit of wwylm. He was better at staying with me although the first attempt he backed instead of going forward as that had earned a c/t previously. Again, I believe he is so keen, so excited, that he doesn't have the emotional control to stop and think. Guess it will just take time.
Perhaps tomorrow it would be better if I just worked on one thing and one thing only. Should try and do another session during the day, either before they go out in the afternoon or when they come in after their 2 hours grazing (they are all confined for the better part of the day and all of the night in the 'Jenny Craig' paddock because of their excess adipose tissue).
When I'd finished and strapped on the carrots he was THERE. Although he didn't *get* that he was to keep his distance at least I remembered not to treat him when he was in my face. Again I tried to stay ahead of him as far as the displacement (evasion; eating) went by I'm not good enough at observation to know when enough is too much. Mostly I just do a few c/ts and walk away; the scattergun approach. Even with extremely short c/t bursts he'd still occasionally put his head down and graze. I did consistently add the cue 'down' when asking for it and he was giving it to me although I suspect it was just something he tried to elicit a carrot and wasn't done because he understood.
We also did a little bit of wwylm. He was better at staying with me although the first attempt he backed instead of going forward as that had earned a c/t previously. Again, I believe he is so keen, so excited, that he doesn't have the emotional control to stop and think. Guess it will just take time.
Perhaps tomorrow it would be better if I just worked on one thing and one thing only. Should try and do another session during the day, either before they go out in the afternoon or when they come in after their 2 hours grazing (they are all confined for the better part of the day and all of the night in the 'Jenny Craig' paddock because of their excess adipose tissue).
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