Plastic Bag Success!!

Yes, The plastic Bags touched Rupert's shoulder on each side and he stood!

How long has it been? 8 weeks? Oh it was only since July 18th 4 weeks - even better than I thought, it seemed like forever. I thought we would never get to this point.
He was still spooky and trotting in a big tight circle around me with his body having a nice arch as he was trying to get away from the bags. I just thought OK - "Bag on, Bag off, Bag on, Bag off"
I would touch him briefly and remove it. Before long he was standing , licking his lips and saying "Sheesh is this all you wanted?" Silly goose.

Also able to lay on him from the top of the round pen rail. Wave my hands all around too. Stand up on the top rail and do the sending exercises.

Mid July- Colt Starting Progress- PLASTIC BAGS ARE ALIENS

I was just about to put the surcingle on Rupert when I happened to watch a Clinton Anderson TV show about spooky objects and introducing the plastic bag. Clinton said he never got on a colt unless they were desensitized to the plastic bag. I am sure glad I saw that video because Rupert is having a " COW", as in big black and white Jersey Cow, over the bags. I have spent all week working on it and only yesterday did he touch it with his nose. I still can not get it any where near his body. Geeze he is sensitive. If the water issue was scary. This is magnatude 10 X more scary.
I thought I better order Clinton Andersons Colt starting DVDs because I would not want to leave a important step out. His TV shows do not show the actually saddling and I have heard mention surcingle and boat bumpers. So The DVDs are on their way.
PLASTIC BAGS ARE GOING TO EAT ME!!!
Hooh man - the first day he was snorting and trying to dash left and right. All I did was hold the handy stick( with 2 bags on the end of it) in front of me and try to lead him behind me. The correct way to introduce a spooky object is to have it retreat from the horse per Clinton Anderson. It is not a threat when it is going away from the horse. I worked in the round pen for an hour. Low energy first desensitizing, doing some lunging for respect then backing and turning the HQ and 4 hand. Then following the bags. I got to the point I could wave the bags in front of me from Left to right. I was beginning to wonder if I was doing it right but I just thought I cant quite while he is uptight, he has got to relax. Granted it was quite breezy causing the bags to whip around.
The next day was equally as difficult with the bags. Tight frog lips or as CA says "Fish Butt". Lips so tight they are water proof like a fish's butt. Another hour of work. But I was able to lead from both the right side and left side. He is definitely not wanting me on his right side. It is more spooky when I am on his right side. He did take off a few times and get away from me in the round pen when I was on the right. Snort, snort, big boinking steps but he would disengage and stop facing me.
Day 3 Much better today. And the wind has died down so the bags are not whipping on their own so much. I could wave the bags L and R. Change directions and eyes much better. But he still has his "Frog lips" lips tight together, a little anxious about the bags. I did manage to finally walk backwards with the bag between me and him and wave it R and L. He was snorting and more unsure. Head down taking tentative steps and weaving right to left. Not able to hide behind me! Finally I was able to stop. Hold the stick up and while holding the bags he actually sniffed and lipped the bags.
Day 4 - The Plastic Bags are AWOL -Rupert had someone hide the bags. I can not find the stick and bags. They are gone. Did a big dirt devil whirl them away to OZ? OK Pony's return the bags! Rupert is happy! With a dark horizon, rainbow and immanent rain: we hurried up and just worked on putting his head down to pressure on the poll region. This is for ease of bridling. We worked on introducing moving his HQ away from constant pressure which he did very well. He doesn't mind a rope around his barrel pulled tight. He can have the saddle blanket over his head, neck and back with out any problem.
Approaching another week, making slow but steady progress when compared to where we were on June 1st. I just have to put it in perspective, compare it to the start and be patient.
One thing I have learned is to make sure he has front protective boots and bell boots on. I didn't when I first started working him because he was too spooky. I put them on at 2 weeks of work. As I led him off the tie rail he was taking big high steps with his front feet. He almost ran me over because he was looking at them with his right eye and spooking left into me on a circle. He had just enough round pen work to remain in control and not run me over but it was close. Sure glad I had them on for the plastic bag work though. His legs were hitting the round pen pipes as he frantically dashed around.
This week I also learned to never be with out my Handy stick. I had tied the plastic bags to my Handy stick, but when working on the other exercises I was just using the lead rope. He darted off and kicked out at me when the stick and bags outside the RP rattled and scared him. Thus I put the plastic bags on a old shortened lunge whip so I could have my Handy stick available.
* PS: I wear my helmet during all this ground work and always when riding.

First Week of July - Ruperts Log

Great strides this week! Every day 1-2 new things are introduced. Really scary this week was the whip whizzing thought the air over his head. Also me climbing on the RP top panel resulted in lots of snorting and spooking. But by day 2 of these new things he was calm.
He has been working on the sending exercise on line,backing, turn on the forehand, turn on haunches. Whip in figure eight while standing facing him and on each side. Leading, following the running water hose. Usually after 2 days off I put him off line in the Round pen initially and work on turning and some cantering.
On the 4th of July with fireworks popping in the back ground he worked well. Attentive and not afraid. I was able to Jump up and down holding onto his withers and back and really get some height with my torso bumping into him.
Yeah! And the big one - Rupert had his chest and neck hosed down with water while he was slurping the hose. Thanks Clinton Anderson.
We might not be putting the saddle on in a few days like Clinton but I am really happy with the month of work under our belt. I am thinking of laying on him this week but he is so tall I don't know if I can jump up. I need a leg up.
Sorry for the lack of photo's but it is a little challenging to work him with a camera in hand :)

Rupert June 21-29

Every day gets better! Free in the round pen Rupert reliably goes left and right around the round pen and turns to the inside to change direction. Walk, trot and canter. One the line he is super. I even lunged him in the pasture a few times and he was really good. Who would have thought just 2 weeks ago he could do that. Backs up well. Worked more on turning the 4 hand and can almost do 360 degree turn. I can helicopter the whip next to his side and in front of him and he stands relaxed. He can disengage the HQ for a 360 degree turn. Started putting the lead line around his barrel and pulling it taught in increments with no problem. I introduced Hanging off his withers on both sides with no problem.
Added jumping up and down next to him to simulate getting on "OMG she is going to eat me" - he had heart failure. You know when you initiate the stimulus you can not remove it until he calms down and stands still and relaxes. His head is up, he is snorting and bolting left and right. I direct his head and 2 eyes to keep looking at me. There I was bouncing up and down for 10 minutes. My thoughts were "I'm too old for this, where is the neighborhood kid I can pay to bounce. I tell you my thigh muscles are both sore today.
Every day we work on the hose and water at the end of the lesson. Yesterday he was just dipping his nose in the fringing spray of the hose. He would jerk back his head and put his nose back down to touch the water. I could water the grass on each side of him and about one foot in front of his front feet. I refrained from squirting his hoofs. :)

June 7-13 Rupert's Progress

Worried start, blasting around - More relaxed in top photo at the end

I put Rupert in the round pen "off the line"and followed the steps in Clinton's First episode #1.

#1 Get him to go in one direction.

#2 Then Get him to turn to the inside

#3 Get him next to turn consistently to the inside

#4 Follow and look at you with 2 eyes

Well as you know he isn't weaned. So mom is whinnying 20 feet away, He is flying around the arena, trying to stop and turn when he gets half way to the far side. After about 5-10 minutes he starts to not stop and goes all the way around. He goes well to the Left (more comfortable side) so that's all I do on Day 1. On Day 2 we start off line going to the Left. He is still calling and Mom is racing back and forth along the fence. Rupert is looking out at his mom. He settles slightly quicker and I get some turns to the inside. I do get him to go reliably to the right. Good boy

Day 3 I try to lead him but he puts his head up, prances ahead of me dragging me back toward his mom. Yup that was intimidating. I didn't find the CA video about that until a few days later and the solution is so simple. Just walk in a small circle until his feet quiet down. Wow I have been handling horses 30 years and no one taught me that.Day 4 Big break through he did everything like a dream and stopped, gave me 2 eyes and took a step forward.

I Worked for 2 days so Rupert got a break.

Day 7 : Nightmare on Elms street: Sweaty all over and totally blowing me off, not licking and chewing, not giving me 2 eyes. I cant just stop and reward this disrespect. I keep hearing Clinton's voice, "I canter them right off because it just all takes so much longer if you don't." So I am having him go, change directions and I keep trying to stop and offer him the chance to stop moving but he is looking out and concerned about his mom. After 45 minutes he finally licks and chews and sort of comes to me. Hummm I had better stop here, he is a baby and out of shape and I don't want to blow any tendons.

Yes at 4 yo he is a 16.2h warmblood. They do not stop growing until they are 5.5-6 yo which is why I have waited until he is 4. Research has found TB and QH joints are closed at 3 yo, Warmblood joints close at 4 yo and WB/TB cross's at 3.5 yo.

Rupert - The training begins Week 1-3

Rupert will be 4 yo on June 16th. This is a log of his training adventures.

3 weeks ago Rupert entered Kindergarten. He has not been weaned and all prior work over his life has been done in the proximity of his mom. When he was young he learned how to wear a halter, lead fairly well, back up on command, move his haunches L or R, Stand for trimming, go in and out of a trailer, and wear a blanket.
He does not know how to tie. Does not like water at all!, has never had a surcingle or girth on, Has not been away from his mom.
Previous attempts to have him separate from his mom result in all out pandemonium on both their parts. Rupert can not focus on anything else, trys to get out of the round pen or arena and becomes unleadable.
I was encouraged by Linda who said Bambino, her 17+ hand part Clyde was never weaned either. He is 5 and still with his mom but goes out on his own now. "I just put him to work and in 2 weeks he got over it."
I started leading Rupert in the evenings. It was obvious I needed to establish his trust and become the leader. I always make sure he has at least 30 min to 1 hour to gallop and play before I start work. Week 3 he does basic leading, stopping, backing, labyrinth work before going out of his pasture.
Week 1: We stop, back, turn haunches L or R and lead going in any direction.
Week 2: A ground labyrinth is added. A series of poles he has to walk through, stop, back and
turn in. This went quite well and he was very relaxed.
Week 3:- Now to expand his boundary and remove him from the pasture with his mom into
the adjoining area. This went well the first day as he was just 10-15 feet away going
up and down the fence line. The next day I ventured further, up to 30 feet away.
As soon as I went around a tree he became anxious. Suddenly 18 h tall and dancing
on the end of the line trying to run over me. I was trying to halt and back him w/o
success. Yikes he is big. Closer to the fence he settles down and is good the remainder
of the time.
- This evening I intend to repeat the further away scenario but want him to be more
comfortable so I turn out a calm mare into the pasture he will be in. This works very
well. He is calm, does all his ground work and it was a success even w/ his mom
calling and pacing the fence line.
- Today Rupert enters the round pen to lunge. I have a halter on and a 25 foot soft
nylon line. I walk, back and halt around the pen. Then I ask him to walk forward to
the left. He stops to eat grass. I tap him on the quarters and he bolts forward.
He stops 50 feet later and eats grass, repeat scenario and by the 3rd time he doesn't
try it again. Very calmly he trots and walks. He is licking his lips. Great I will stop
here. I am very happy and scratch his belly and lead him calmly back to his mom
who had been whinnying and running up and down the fence. The round pen is
approximately 20 feet from the fence line. Using the line in the pen helped prevent
him from sticking his head through the open rails and from frequently changing
directions and running willie nilly.
- Today I will try to lunge both directions if he goes well initially. Yes he lunges well to
the left. It is way more difficult to the R. He immediately turns around to go L. After
3 attempts I realise I have not lead him from the R side. I try to lead him but he
keeps trying to put me on his Left. I shorten the line up and manage to get him to
walk around the track of the RPen with me just out of the kicking range. This seems
to work. He walks and trots well to the Left. I am introducing words walk and Trot,
and burrrp for stop. A kiss for forward. He is very sensitive and I make sure I lightly
touch him with the whip. I put a saddle blanket all over his back and neck, face with
no problem, he is calm. Belly scratches for a reward.
-Today I work him at noon, just before feeding, All the horses are out of their
paddocks into the pastures. I did not hand walk him thought the labyrinth. I halter
him and walk, open and go through a gate, halt, walk 10 feet, halt and back and right
into the RP. He lunges well to the L but has much more energy. Calling occasionally
to his mom who is calling and running down the fence. To the right he keeps turning
around quickly. I try to get the line low so it goes back half way between his hock
and tail dock. He knows the exercise where you but the lead behind his butt and pull
on it and he has to turn toward the pressure and turn facing you. This works on the
lunge line. However sometimes he is quicker than I am and gets the line high and it
wraps to the middle of his neck. The first couple of times he shakes and lowers his
head and slaps his front feet down in a little tantrum like activity. He is pulling me
around the R.pen. I don't want to let go of the rope and have him get scared of it
dragging behind him. I do drop the whip and hang on with both hands. Lucky I have
long legs. Then I get smart. Instead of trying to stop him I just cut him off at the
pass and get big ( hands up) and have him turn to the outside to go Right and thus
unwrapping the rope from his neck. Of course because he is excited and animated
everything is happening quickly. This goes on for 10 minutes. Finally he walks and
licks his lips. So we accomplished a lunge to the right. Walk, trot and halt on
command to the left.