Horse Behavior – Page 9 – Virtual Brush Box

Rodney Objects

Rodney is not happy. I have been taking long-line/ground-driving lessons at Stepping Stone to improve my groundwork at home. Rodney is having to cope with pressure. As I improve where I stand in relation to the horse, I am better able to push forward. Rodney doesn’t like the pressure. Suck it up, Cupcake. If weContinue reading “Rodney Objects”

Counterbalance

Milton is not Rodney. I forget this. When I’m grooming Milton, I will slooowly reach toward his head with a brush. He stands there. Then I remember Milton is not head-shy; I can brush his head like any other part of his body. I take Milton for a walk. He utterly fails to get uptight.Continue reading “Counterbalance”

Rodney’s Hillwork

Remember back when walking up a hill caused Rodney to suffer an explosive anxiety attack? [Aftermath of an Explosion] This is Rodney on the same hill last week, a mere five years later. On the way up, he stopped repeatedly. Not from concern, rather from the fact that his hooves were glued to the ground.Continue reading “Rodney’s Hillwork”

Rodney on a Long Rein

A short-term goal for Rodney is to walk quietly on the buckle. You’d think this would be Horse 101. I’m not talking an animated walk, or keeping his frame without me holding him up. I mean a slow, gentle plod around the ring, and ultimately around the field. As with riding bareback, the goal isContinue reading “Rodney on a Long Rein”

Looking Forward, Rodney

So this happened. I have been riding sitting on Rodney bareback. One, to keep pressure off his back injury/scar, which is under the right-hand point of the saddle. Two, I like the idea of being able to slid off at the first sign of adversity. In a saddle, I tend to hang on until I’mContinue reading “Looking Forward, Rodney”

Nose Kisses

When Rodney arrived, he was intermittently head shy. Hands and towels were okay. Brushes were not. To address this, we went out of our way to fuss with his head: patting, touching, fiddling with his upper his lip, and so on. [Head Games, Progress] Initially, I would hold his chin and give raspberries on theContinue reading “Nose Kisses”

Show Report, Alabama Charity Championship 2016, Driving

Alabama Charity Championship Horse Show October 15, 2016 Celebration Arena Priceville AL, USA 96. Academy Driving Katherine & Alvin Ailey, 1st of 2 Greg & Callaway’s Sweet Daddy, 2nd of 2. Thank you to the Wamble family and Courtney Huguley for their divine driving horses. (Alvin went on to win both 9-10 WT classes andContinue reading “Show Report, Alabama Charity Championship 2016, Driving”