susanne
dB
We had another lesson with Portia yesterday, and it went so well I couldn't stop talking about it all afternoon -- Have I mentioned before that Portia is just an incredible person as well as a great trainer? If not, I should say it a thousand times! (She has to get some entertainment out of the susanne and Mingus show -- between my incredible klutziness and Mingus' indominable character!)
For those who haven't read my earlier posts, Portia agreed to work with us on a per lesson basis, essentially coaching me to train Mingus. I had started Mingus on lunging and ground-driving already, but with my lack of experience and a desire to make the most of Mingus' potential, we wanted to work with a trainer. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with one of the best.
Winter and early spring were a challenge with cold, snow, rain and mud and no covered arena up here on our hill, but now that spring is here, we're really making progress.
After first addressing Mingus' dominance issues (or actually MY lack of dominance!!), we began working seriously on lunging exercises -- bending (he was counterbending terribly when going clockwise), finding his balance and putting some serious brakes on him. He has had a tendency to want to face me and back when he is confused, which would obviously not be a good thing when hitched, but we've overcome that one, and he walks, trots, backs and whoas beautifully on the lunge, and is developing smooth transitions.
Portia has had us use a loose fixed rein to discourage the counterbending as well as (separately, of course) sliding side reins for finding his balance. Mingus is developing the most beautiful form and respects the bit, rarely going above or behind it and almost never fighting it. He knows his job and enjoys doing it -- trotting along with a most determined look, one ear always cocked toward me.
Ground-driving has come so naturally with him...he truly enjoys it and obeys the subtlest of rein cues. We work figure eights and use soccer balls in lieu of cones...he is so willing a nd agile, and truly enjoys our partnership. He is even overcoming the powerful temptation of lush green grass when we go out of the corral. I always wonder how our work sessions sounds to the neighbors, though, as my praise is soft, low and sweet, but my reprimands as loud and firm...I guess they only hear the latter and think I'm a real witch (and probably think I'm bossing Keith!)
Portia was extremely complimentary on our progress and took a huge step forward -- bringing her training cart into the arena and pulling it in front of him, behind him, and alongside. No big deal, said Mingus...been there, done that! We've made a point of exposing him to every noisy, scary thing we have around here, and he's been bothered by nothing but an impending thunderstorm.
One concern...
Mingus has a habit of standing up on the lower wires of the (supposedly) no-climb fencing in a futile attempt to reach the grass outside his corral, and has broken chunks out of his front hooves. I had spotted the one, not so serious side,, but at the lesson we all saw that he had a bigger, deeper notch on the other hoof. He was moving just a bit gingerly while trotting -- not really extending -- and Portia thought that it might have broken into the quick.
He's moving just fine today, but we'll take a couple of days off and keep a close eye on him. This means, however, that we need to finally add hot wire to keep him off the fence!
Then it's on to pool noodles (as an introduction to having something in the tug loops) and more ground-driving...then onward and upward!
PS: I have to add that, for now, we're using an extremely well-padded, very utilitarian synthetic work harness to allow time to find the perfect harness for him. Seeing him in this no frills affair, I now know nothing less than a gorgeous harness will do for him...I can almost hear him singing..."I'm too sexy for my harness..."
PPS: Mingus made me add that he looks like Joe Cool in blinders!
For those who haven't read my earlier posts, Portia agreed to work with us on a per lesson basis, essentially coaching me to train Mingus. I had started Mingus on lunging and ground-driving already, but with my lack of experience and a desire to make the most of Mingus' potential, we wanted to work with a trainer. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with one of the best.
Winter and early spring were a challenge with cold, snow, rain and mud and no covered arena up here on our hill, but now that spring is here, we're really making progress.
After first addressing Mingus' dominance issues (or actually MY lack of dominance!!), we began working seriously on lunging exercises -- bending (he was counterbending terribly when going clockwise), finding his balance and putting some serious brakes on him. He has had a tendency to want to face me and back when he is confused, which would obviously not be a good thing when hitched, but we've overcome that one, and he walks, trots, backs and whoas beautifully on the lunge, and is developing smooth transitions.
Portia has had us use a loose fixed rein to discourage the counterbending as well as (separately, of course) sliding side reins for finding his balance. Mingus is developing the most beautiful form and respects the bit, rarely going above or behind it and almost never fighting it. He knows his job and enjoys doing it -- trotting along with a most determined look, one ear always cocked toward me.
Ground-driving has come so naturally with him...he truly enjoys it and obeys the subtlest of rein cues. We work figure eights and use soccer balls in lieu of cones...he is so willing a nd agile, and truly enjoys our partnership. He is even overcoming the powerful temptation of lush green grass when we go out of the corral. I always wonder how our work sessions sounds to the neighbors, though, as my praise is soft, low and sweet, but my reprimands as loud and firm...I guess they only hear the latter and think I'm a real witch (and probably think I'm bossing Keith!)
Portia was extremely complimentary on our progress and took a huge step forward -- bringing her training cart into the arena and pulling it in front of him, behind him, and alongside. No big deal, said Mingus...been there, done that! We've made a point of exposing him to every noisy, scary thing we have around here, and he's been bothered by nothing but an impending thunderstorm.
One concern...
Mingus has a habit of standing up on the lower wires of the (supposedly) no-climb fencing in a futile attempt to reach the grass outside his corral, and has broken chunks out of his front hooves. I had spotted the one, not so serious side,, but at the lesson we all saw that he had a bigger, deeper notch on the other hoof. He was moving just a bit gingerly while trotting -- not really extending -- and Portia thought that it might have broken into the quick.
He's moving just fine today, but we'll take a couple of days off and keep a close eye on him. This means, however, that we need to finally add hot wire to keep him off the fence!
Then it's on to pool noodles (as an introduction to having something in the tug loops) and more ground-driving...then onward and upward!
PS: I have to add that, for now, we're using an extremely well-padded, very utilitarian synthetic work harness to allow time to find the perfect harness for him. Seeing him in this no frills affair, I now know nothing less than a gorgeous harness will do for him...I can almost hear him singing..."I'm too sexy for my harness..."
PPS: Mingus made me add that he looks like Joe Cool in blinders!
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