Post by Allyson on Dec 7, 2008 23:07:20 GMT -5
So, I took Juliane's advice in the other thread and started working with Cassie on the ground a little. I've been meaning to sign up her Princess self for a Jon Ensign colt starting clinic- but the year got away from us, and now we have to wait until spring at the earliest. So I'm wanting Jon to come out and work with her a little, but on-farm private lessons can be pretty pricey.
So in order to get the most out of my money, i've started working with Cassie and the flag. its something i did a looooooong time ago, but sort of let it lapse over the past couple years.
turns out she could really give a crap about flags. since i dont have a real flag, i had to use a plastic bag at the end of my training stick. flapped it everywhere, touched her everywhere, she just stood there, looking at me like i'm an idiot. Hehehe nice.
I couldnt tell for sure if she didn't care or was just checking out. the only part she semi- cared about was the flag being directly over her ears, that mare really really HATES noises over her head. Aha! So i worked with her on that, and today, she's fine with it.
I worked with her with me on the fence above her, and she didnt care too much about that either. worked with her giving her head from side to side the way Jon likes it done- there is a certain break he looks for- which is good.
What I think is going to be her explosive or brace is bending and then yielding the hind quarters. And I really dont want to be the person who tries that out with her. Not alone, anyway.
She's also interesting with other people- and I really think all of the exercises will mean a whole lot more if someone other than me does them. There is a blockage with her and other people- and I think a lot of the tension I feel in her body will melt if she can work with another, confident individual in addition to silly old me.
So, next step is to schedule Jon. I'd really like to get him out asap- but the holidays are coming up, and i'm leaving for NJ for 10 days. Which means even if he does come out before then, how much will I be able to work with her to reinforce the lessons? Probably best to wait until I get back.
So in order to get the most out of my money, i've started working with Cassie and the flag. its something i did a looooooong time ago, but sort of let it lapse over the past couple years.
turns out she could really give a crap about flags. since i dont have a real flag, i had to use a plastic bag at the end of my training stick. flapped it everywhere, touched her everywhere, she just stood there, looking at me like i'm an idiot. Hehehe nice.
I couldnt tell for sure if she didn't care or was just checking out. the only part she semi- cared about was the flag being directly over her ears, that mare really really HATES noises over her head. Aha! So i worked with her on that, and today, she's fine with it.
I worked with her with me on the fence above her, and she didnt care too much about that either. worked with her giving her head from side to side the way Jon likes it done- there is a certain break he looks for- which is good.
What I think is going to be her explosive or brace is bending and then yielding the hind quarters. And I really dont want to be the person who tries that out with her. Not alone, anyway.
She's also interesting with other people- and I really think all of the exercises will mean a whole lot more if someone other than me does them. There is a blockage with her and other people- and I think a lot of the tension I feel in her body will melt if she can work with another, confident individual in addition to silly old me.
So, next step is to schedule Jon. I'd really like to get him out asap- but the holidays are coming up, and i'm leaving for NJ for 10 days. Which means even if he does come out before then, how much will I be able to work with her to reinforce the lessons? Probably best to wait until I get back.