What a marvelous day!!
Started off by doing a box training session with the boys. RD is a consummate professional when it comes to loading and travelling, he'll virtually load himself onto anything now....so with Ziggy watching I popped him on the box
Up he tootled and back off again, clever good boy!
Ziggy was a bit looky but came to me to have his halter on and led calmly into the pen the box was in. I let him have a sniff at the ramp, asked him to take a step and blow me down he just walked up the ramp like he'd done it every day of his life. The trust that boy gives me is incredibly humbling.
He was a bit nervy as we moved around on the box as it does wobble a bit, but looked to me for assurance and turned around without panicking. Little halt at the top of the ramp and very slowly down again step by step, each one controlled and calm.
He was so good I turned him around and we went up the ramp again - Ziggy followed me happily and calmly yet again! We stood on the box for a couple of minutes this time, then again I asked him to gently and slowly step down the ramp...he was amazing!
Had to finish off with a little bow as he was so clever!
Photo's are on FB - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150270472588542.342509.676733541&l=4e6a6a920e&type=1
As if that wasn't enough, Superhubby and I walked the boys over to the yard this afternoon, we negotiated the lane (Ziggy needs a lot of desensitising on the road, he was quite jumpy when any vehicles (all of one van and one car) went past, but he stays with you even when he's scared which is briliant. He bravely negotiated the wooden bridge and then we all had a lovely walk out across the fields and bridleways to the yard in the glorious sunshine
Got the yard, walked by the scary stack of flappy plastic haylage bales, Ziggy looking but staying with me, put up with the boys in the field by the walkway charging and galloping about and then we were at the field that'll be the boy's home for the next couple of weeks.
The rest of the herd are in the field next door separated by a large copse, so once the boys were safely in I got Billy out and brought him over...all 17hh of him. Billy is a sweet 3 yr old and veery easy going so the natural choice for first one in (I'm introducing one per day into the field to minimise ructions!)
Billy, Ziggy and RD got on superbly!!
So later this afternoon came the first big test, a field full of grass and a happy gang of boys....would Ziggy let me catch him???
Of course he would!! Halter straight on, then bridle and roller, we were off to explore the yard :-D
Ziggy was quite wired at all the new surroundings, but so respectful and trusting - staying with me, being guided and listening, it makes me feel humbled and proud that he puts so much trust in me already. We did a tour of the yard - eyes pretty much on stalks seeing the walker (going round on it's own in the breeze!!), past the enormous muck trailer and up to the lunge pen.
I ran through a normal training session - I can't say I got the level of commitment and relaxation I had at Greenhouse Farm or at home, but Ziggy did everything I asked and listened well producing some lovely work in a totally alien environment. Then we walked up the yard back to the field completely calm, on a loose lead with the weekend girls in awe of his gorgeousness :-D
I LOVE this horse, he is truly amazing!!
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Boys will be Boys
Carnage......
That is a description of my paddock this morning!
Moved the boys into the littlest paddock last night as it's the most sheltered and we were forecast heavy rain. It's also got the most grass in and I was having to put hay out in the others. It used to be a section of garden so has lots of trees and bushes, with pockets of grass and passageways..small but interesting!!
Got up this morning to find gallop tracks all round it with spectacular skid marks along the way...my top slip rail pulled clean off, both brackets ripped out and two boys still charging around playing tag, rearing, boxing and play fighting - generally acting the loon whilst plastered in wet mud!!
Neither jumped out I'm pleased to say - RD has previous form for this, he spent most of last summer bouncing over the fences between paddocks breaking rails left right and centre with joyous abandon....until I whacked electric tape on the top of every fence line **evil mother**
RD has managed to cut himself like he's been garroted across his throat and has bramble cuts and spikes too :-( The bigger wound would possibly have needed a stitch had it been found in time, but too late now, it's not deep, just ragged and looked clean so I've washed it out and packed it with dermagel then sponged fly spray all around his neck and head.
With his numerous bite marks, the scars from being run into the fence by Whizz last year and now this little lot....Good job I didn't buy him as a show pony eh!
Ziggy doesn't have any injuries that I can see, he's a little older and more careful and balanced I guess...Oh RD!
Friday, 12 August 2011
Always a pleasure
I don't even think about the catching now, every morning I call when I do the boys breakfast and both boys stand at the fence waiting to be caught, tied up and fed :-D I'm sure things will revert when I move them, but I hope that Ziggy is acclimatised enough now to still want to come back despite the freedom!
Work is ramping up a bit now, Ziggy has had a bridle on the last two days and has accepted it perfectly happily - he was bitted before I bought him so I didn't expect any issues on that front. I've put him straight in a NS team up loose ring which he's fine with, nicely mouthing and soft with it.
As I don't have a school at home we're working on the back lawn (much to Superhubby's horror!!)
The sessions take the same format each time with a start on close inhand work followed by larger circle work on each rein. We work on flexion & bend, pace and relaxation - so giravolta, turn on forehand, straight etc ...now with added stretching FDO.
As he knows how to lunge already on the large circle work I'm looking for refinement of what he already does - instant change of pace reactions with as light an aid as possible (as much as needed, as little as required) and now I'm introducing the concept of transitions within the pace. He's actively stretching down and out now when asked rather than running around with his head in the air and that neck bulging, and all done without a chambon / side reins. I have them in case I needed them, but from being shown the stretch close in-hand he's working out for himself a better carriage which is great
I introduced the idea of long reins yesterday - knowing he can be a bit handy behind I started with the long line direct rein change of direction exercise and he picked it up immediately and completely calmly so I attached a second line and just in walk did a couple of circuits with a supportive outside line. No issues at all so we can work this into a couple of sessions a week and build his confidence up until we can double line lunge properly....then start adding proper long lining in prep for in hand hacking pre backing!
On that note I'm already standing with him, arms over his back, reaching over etc. I'll introduce a step in the next day or so too...
Every session finishes with a nice bow, it's his party piece and he's very proud of himself as he knows it marks the end of the session when he's done well. He's so motivated to please and a joy to work with!!
Work is ramping up a bit now, Ziggy has had a bridle on the last two days and has accepted it perfectly happily - he was bitted before I bought him so I didn't expect any issues on that front. I've put him straight in a NS team up loose ring which he's fine with, nicely mouthing and soft with it.
As I don't have a school at home we're working on the back lawn (much to Superhubby's horror!!)
The sessions take the same format each time with a start on close inhand work followed by larger circle work on each rein. We work on flexion & bend, pace and relaxation - so giravolta, turn on forehand, straight etc ...now with added stretching FDO.
As he knows how to lunge already on the large circle work I'm looking for refinement of what he already does - instant change of pace reactions with as light an aid as possible (as much as needed, as little as required) and now I'm introducing the concept of transitions within the pace. He's actively stretching down and out now when asked rather than running around with his head in the air and that neck bulging, and all done without a chambon / side reins. I have them in case I needed them, but from being shown the stretch close in-hand he's working out for himself a better carriage which is great
I introduced the idea of long reins yesterday - knowing he can be a bit handy behind I started with the long line direct rein change of direction exercise and he picked it up immediately and completely calmly so I attached a second line and just in walk did a couple of circuits with a supportive outside line. No issues at all so we can work this into a couple of sessions a week and build his confidence up until we can double line lunge properly....then start adding proper long lining in prep for in hand hacking pre backing!
On that note I'm already standing with him, arms over his back, reaching over etc. I'll introduce a step in the next day or so too...
Every session finishes with a nice bow, it's his party piece and he's very proud of himself as he knows it marks the end of the session when he's done well. He's so motivated to please and a joy to work with!!
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Pilgrim's progress
Well we've been working solidly on Ziggy's catching and he's been super, he's extremely intelligent so I didn't think it would be long before he twigged that headcollar is good = food or grooming!!
What does make me smile is the fact that he'd much rather have his training halter on to have a work session! He LOVES his work, to the point where any time I do a bit with RD, Ziggy is right there on the periphery of our circle joining in bless him :-D He'll have his headcollar on but still turns his head away on approach, but if I have the rope work halter he marches over and puts his nose in it for me!
The boys moved paddocks at the weekend into the smaller more sheltered triangle, so without any fuss or nonsense it was head collars on, negotiate the narrow gap past the horsebox between them, lead down the drive, round the garden, in through the gate way and turn and stand still whilst I do the slip rails before letting them both go. A biggish test of my handling doing both at the same time, but I always go into these things knowing they'll behave and generally they do!
Much fun was had charging around in there, before setting up lad's corner looking out down the lane and across the field under the shelter of the big trees.
I bought Ziggy a rug for the winter as he'll be out in the big field and experience of overwintering mine out there twice is that as sheltered as it is sometimes they need a helping hand to keep the condition on. It dawned on me I had no idea if he'd worn one before, but I just did a small inhand session and parked him, let him have a good sniff, before rubbing him with it and putting it over his back. He was fine - wary and looky (his default setting for anything out of the ordinary!) but accepting and didn't bother at all when I let him loose in it.
I got a 5'9" Masta checktech as Masta's tend to be big in the neck....not as big in the neck as Ziggy is, by God he's got a front end and a half!
I tried it on RD - he was in a 5'6 last winter...hahahahaha, nope, bum totally hanging out, so I fetched one of my 6ft rugs that was Safi's, then Bally's and *gulp* it appears my just turned 2 yr old is needing a 6ft rug already :-o
I did positively roar with laughter at the boys though, Ziggy was affronted that I put HIS rug on RD and got the right hump about it.
What does make me smile is the fact that he'd much rather have his training halter on to have a work session! He LOVES his work, to the point where any time I do a bit with RD, Ziggy is right there on the periphery of our circle joining in bless him :-D He'll have his headcollar on but still turns his head away on approach, but if I have the rope work halter he marches over and puts his nose in it for me!
The boys moved paddocks at the weekend into the smaller more sheltered triangle, so without any fuss or nonsense it was head collars on, negotiate the narrow gap past the horsebox between them, lead down the drive, round the garden, in through the gate way and turn and stand still whilst I do the slip rails before letting them both go. A biggish test of my handling doing both at the same time, but I always go into these things knowing they'll behave and generally they do!
Much fun was had charging around in there, before setting up lad's corner looking out down the lane and across the field under the shelter of the big trees.
I bought Ziggy a rug for the winter as he'll be out in the big field and experience of overwintering mine out there twice is that as sheltered as it is sometimes they need a helping hand to keep the condition on. It dawned on me I had no idea if he'd worn one before, but I just did a small inhand session and parked him, let him have a good sniff, before rubbing him with it and putting it over his back. He was fine - wary and looky (his default setting for anything out of the ordinary!) but accepting and didn't bother at all when I let him loose in it.
I got a 5'9" Masta checktech as Masta's tend to be big in the neck....not as big in the neck as Ziggy is, by God he's got a front end and a half!
I tried it on RD - he was in a 5'6 last winter...hahahahaha, nope, bum totally hanging out, so I fetched one of my 6ft rugs that was Safi's, then Bally's and *gulp* it appears my just turned 2 yr old is needing a 6ft rug already :-o
I did positively roar with laughter at the boys though, Ziggy was affronted that I put HIS rug on RD and got the right hump about it.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
And after the pride......
Ziggy decided I..or rather my waterproof jacket..was the horse eating devil incarnate this morning!! He took one look at me and took off in snorting bug eyed horror. RD meanwhile sauntered over for his treat wondering why new boy was being so dappy lol
It took a fair bit of persuasion to get Ziggy to stop and park and even then he was tense, eye rolling and jumpy, so I just went through the motions completely calmly, very matter of fact and swung the rope by him and over his neck. He still went to shoot backwards as I offered my hand, so we just stood for a minute or two until he relaxed and made an approach to reach out and sniff me.
He soon realised that all was fine, I was still me, horse eating coats actually had pockets of edible horse treats and therefore could be approached and snuffled at without fear of imminent death and destruction. Phew all round!
Came back from doing Bally and the dogs about and hour and a half later and worked phase 1 of the feeding routine. This is plan for calling him in when he's out in the 17 acre with the herd. I have a specific call for my guys that has them galloping over (even from the far end of the field) to come into the corral, have a headcollar on, be tied up and have a feed, groom and check.
So I made a couple of small feeds (handful of chaff, handful of Thunderbrook and a vit & min supplement), put them outside the gate and did my "cooomaaaan" call. RD almost teleported over!
Popped his headcollar on and tied him, walked over to Ziggy, who actually put his head into his headcollar without any prompting! I only put his rope through the tie as it dawned on me I have no idea if he's trained to stand tied (presume so as he stands untied!) and gave the boys their breakfast.
All calm, bowls licked clean and happy ponios being good
Happy with that!
It took a fair bit of persuasion to get Ziggy to stop and park and even then he was tense, eye rolling and jumpy, so I just went through the motions completely calmly, very matter of fact and swung the rope by him and over his neck. He still went to shoot backwards as I offered my hand, so we just stood for a minute or two until he relaxed and made an approach to reach out and sniff me.
He soon realised that all was fine, I was still me, horse eating coats actually had pockets of edible horse treats and therefore could be approached and snuffled at without fear of imminent death and destruction. Phew all round!
Came back from doing Bally and the dogs about and hour and a half later and worked phase 1 of the feeding routine. This is plan for calling him in when he's out in the 17 acre with the herd. I have a specific call for my guys that has them galloping over (even from the far end of the field) to come into the corral, have a headcollar on, be tied up and have a feed, groom and check.
So I made a couple of small feeds (handful of chaff, handful of Thunderbrook and a vit & min supplement), put them outside the gate and did my "cooomaaaan" call. RD almost teleported over!
Popped his headcollar on and tied him, walked over to Ziggy, who actually put his head into his headcollar without any prompting! I only put his rope through the tie as it dawned on me I have no idea if he's trained to stand tied (presume so as he stands untied!) and gave the boys their breakfast.
All calm, bowls licked clean and happy ponios being good
Happy with that!
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Softly, softly, catchee Ziggy
Touches wood furiously....but I think we are getting there. Ziggy had a real test today as my saddle fitter Louise came out so see if my Wow would be suitable for him.
So we both arrived at home and Ziggy was faced not only with a stranger but me wanting to get him in (so would have felt the rather hopeful but with slight trepidation vibes coming off me!!) ...well he was an angel! He'd been fab this morning, had walked over to me and just moved a step away but let me pop the rope on him and he was much the same this afternoon, just a step then he stood as I popped the rope over his neck and even lowered his head into the halter....loads of praise and a minty treat for that!!
Louise checked his back over and although Ziggy was visibly a bit wary and tense, he soon relaxed as he realised he was getting a bit of a stroke and a massage and he wasn't going to be poked and prodded and have his dignity insulted.
Once the wither template had been taken we popped my Wow on him and bingo, apart from needing a wider headplate the saddle fitted him perfectly!! We did the girth up without any shenanigans and I did some in hand and circle work to let Ziggy get a feel for how it moved with him..no problems at all.
Ziggy was an absolute superstar, but Louise did say that even on just one meeting she could see he was a horse that was so sensitive you absolutely HAD to get everything right with him as he'd never forgive you if you got it wrong. So I'm chuffed that we're on the right track so far.
RD bless him wanted in on the action the entire time, sniffing the saddle, getting in the way and generally just being his big daft loveable self....I closed my ears and went la-la-laa when she remarked how big and mature he looked for a two year old *gulp* (He will only be 16hh MAXIMUM, he WILL!!!) SO I'm looking forward to getting him all kitted out in a couple of years time too!
So very, very pleased with my lovely boys today :-D
So we both arrived at home and Ziggy was faced not only with a stranger but me wanting to get him in (so would have felt the rather hopeful but with slight trepidation vibes coming off me!!) ...well he was an angel! He'd been fab this morning, had walked over to me and just moved a step away but let me pop the rope on him and he was much the same this afternoon, just a step then he stood as I popped the rope over his neck and even lowered his head into the halter....loads of praise and a minty treat for that!!
Louise checked his back over and although Ziggy was visibly a bit wary and tense, he soon relaxed as he realised he was getting a bit of a stroke and a massage and he wasn't going to be poked and prodded and have his dignity insulted.
Once the wither template had been taken we popped my Wow on him and bingo, apart from needing a wider headplate the saddle fitted him perfectly!! We did the girth up without any shenanigans and I did some in hand and circle work to let Ziggy get a feel for how it moved with him..no problems at all.
Ziggy was an absolute superstar, but Louise did say that even on just one meeting she could see he was a horse that was so sensitive you absolutely HAD to get everything right with him as he'd never forgive you if you got it wrong. So I'm chuffed that we're on the right track so far.
RD bless him wanted in on the action the entire time, sniffing the saddle, getting in the way and generally just being his big daft loveable self....I closed my ears and went la-la-laa when she remarked how big and mature he looked for a two year old *gulp* (He will only be 16hh MAXIMUM, he WILL!!!) SO I'm looking forward to getting him all kitted out in a couple of years time too!
So very, very pleased with my lovely boys today :-D
Monday, 1 August 2011
*BOING*
Lot's of boing, from both me and Ziggy!
We've been working on getting him to happily approach me in the paddock...minty bribes...er treats work very well for this, then getting him to let me touch his neck and face without him going waaaaaah and jumping back. All had been going really well, until he decided yesterday lunchtime that no, he didn't want to be bothered and within seconds span and went to double barrel me :-o
He got roared at and sent away sharpish with some strong body language. After a few moments I worked him at liberty from a distance and then asked him to stop and park. I threw the rope over him a few times and then with it draped gently across his neck did some close work, gave him some praise and then led him about as he happily let me attach the rope.
I decided today that the headcollar was actually becoming an obstacle, Ziggy was almost waiting for me to take a grab at it, even though I don't do things like that, nothing guaranteed to send a sensitive wary horse off than clinging on to their face!!
I caught him with the rope across his neck and took his fieldsafe headcollar off, put the training halter on, led him for a moment, took that off, let him stand loose and then offered him the headcollar which he happily let me put on again, clever lad! *Whoop!*
So off it came...*gulp* As with RD this is the moment when you wonder if you'll ever get within shouting distance ever again lol!
Well he surprised me by trotting over to the fence with RD when I came home from work this afternoon, so got some lovely scritches and a face rub. I popped in to get my saddle as I wanted to see how he'd feel about having a play with it on.
All very matter of fact the boys both sauntered over to have a good sniff but Ziggy walked off as I moved towards him. I immediately asked him to yield his quarters and stop and he did as asked and I popped the rope over his neck and led him to the gateway where he stood like an angel and let me put his halter on.
I let Ziggy have a good sniff at the saddle and he was completely fine to have it slid onto his back. I gently did the girth up hole by hole, just about to do the fourth and last strap and BOING off Ziggy bronced, bouncing across the paddock like tigger!
Bless him, he stopped dead, let me walk straight up to him, lead him back to the gateway and finish doing the girth up without batting an eye!
I popped him on a circle in walk and he happily walked out with no problems, phew! That was a great note to finish on, so we did his customary bow to put an end to the session, gave him some lovely scritches and a mint, what a good man!
RD was entertaining himself with the training halter and rope, so I popped it on him and did some basic baby circle work...Ziggy joined in!! So I had RD on the rope on a 15ft circle just walking out and Ziggy stationed himself on the outside and trotted round in time. Stopped when I asked RD to stop and changed direction as he did lol.
Lots of praise for both boys, when I'd finished laughing my head off.
The day was topped off beautifully when I got home from the yard after doing Bally and the rest of the herd and Ziggy trotted over to me in the paddock, let me pop the rope and halter on him without even thinking of moving away, got a huge hug, scritches and a treat, whilst I actually cried a little bit with with joy into his mane.
Just asked him to walk with me and he did his bow for a treat...job well and truly done and I'm thrilled to bursting point!
We've been working on getting him to happily approach me in the paddock...minty bribes...er treats work very well for this, then getting him to let me touch his neck and face without him going waaaaaah and jumping back. All had been going really well, until he decided yesterday lunchtime that no, he didn't want to be bothered and within seconds span and went to double barrel me :-o
He got roared at and sent away sharpish with some strong body language. After a few moments I worked him at liberty from a distance and then asked him to stop and park. I threw the rope over him a few times and then with it draped gently across his neck did some close work, gave him some praise and then led him about as he happily let me attach the rope.
I decided today that the headcollar was actually becoming an obstacle, Ziggy was almost waiting for me to take a grab at it, even though I don't do things like that, nothing guaranteed to send a sensitive wary horse off than clinging on to their face!!
I caught him with the rope across his neck and took his fieldsafe headcollar off, put the training halter on, led him for a moment, took that off, let him stand loose and then offered him the headcollar which he happily let me put on again, clever lad! *Whoop!*
So off it came...*gulp* As with RD this is the moment when you wonder if you'll ever get within shouting distance ever again lol!
Well he surprised me by trotting over to the fence with RD when I came home from work this afternoon, so got some lovely scritches and a face rub. I popped in to get my saddle as I wanted to see how he'd feel about having a play with it on.
All very matter of fact the boys both sauntered over to have a good sniff but Ziggy walked off as I moved towards him. I immediately asked him to yield his quarters and stop and he did as asked and I popped the rope over his neck and led him to the gateway where he stood like an angel and let me put his halter on.
I let Ziggy have a good sniff at the saddle and he was completely fine to have it slid onto his back. I gently did the girth up hole by hole, just about to do the fourth and last strap and BOING off Ziggy bronced, bouncing across the paddock like tigger!
Bless him, he stopped dead, let me walk straight up to him, lead him back to the gateway and finish doing the girth up without batting an eye!
I popped him on a circle in walk and he happily walked out with no problems, phew! That was a great note to finish on, so we did his customary bow to put an end to the session, gave him some lovely scritches and a mint, what a good man!
RD was entertaining himself with the training halter and rope, so I popped it on him and did some basic baby circle work...Ziggy joined in!! So I had RD on the rope on a 15ft circle just walking out and Ziggy stationed himself on the outside and trotted round in time. Stopped when I asked RD to stop and changed direction as he did lol.
Lots of praise for both boys, when I'd finished laughing my head off.
The day was topped off beautifully when I got home from the yard after doing Bally and the rest of the herd and Ziggy trotted over to me in the paddock, let me pop the rope and halter on him without even thinking of moving away, got a huge hug, scritches and a treat, whilst I actually cried a little bit with with joy into his mane.
Just asked him to walk with me and he did his bow for a treat...job well and truly done and I'm thrilled to bursting point!
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Settling in
Well the poor traumatised (he has been forced to move to Essex lol!) lad is settling in well and is slowly coming to terms with the fact that everything he's ever known has been ripped away from him.....sounds dramatic? Well it's true if you think about it!
Ziggy has been in the same home from birth for four years, living with the same horses, being handled by the same people and in the last few weeks he's put up with being worked by a stranger, poked and prodded by a vet, popped on a wobbly metal box completely alone for a few hours and walks off at the end to be met by that strange lady in a strange place. For a horse with such fine breeding and sensitive nature I'm amazed that he's settled in so well!
He's still a little wary and watchful, but Ardiente is giving him such a good lead bless him....RD came to me as an incredibly shy 10 month old colt who'd lived in a headcollar from weaning as couldn't be caught without trickery by anyone other than his breeder (and even then only on HIS terms) and wouldn't let me within 10 ft of him when I first had him. With gentle patient handling he's now like a big affectionate dog who wants nothing more than to be scratched cuddled and fussed by the people he loves. He is truly adorable and he's such a steady chap he's the perfect companion for Ziggy.
Ziggy has been taking a bit of persuasion to be caught. I generally work on the mirroring movement / totally still approach with very low energy and non threatening body language. It's meant that every time I've wanted to be able to do something with him (from brushing, to doing a little in hand work, putting on fly spray, bathing his eye or just catching scratching and stroking and letting him go) I've been able to...it just takes maybe 5, 10 or 15 minutes. Not ideal when he'll be going down into a ruddy great 16 acre field in a few weeks!
With it being the weekend I've had the benefit of being able to go out on and off all day, pootle around, offer good quality scritches and I'm thrilled to say that by this evening Ziggy was finally approaching me for a stroke, letting me hold his headcollar if I wanted and generally giving me the vibe that he was happy in my company...phew!
I'll have to take the great leap of faith that is taking his headcollar off at some point in the next few days...the clicker might come out for this as when I've gone to change his fieldsafe one for my working rope halter it's been met with snorting wild eyed panic that takes real softly softly handling so far. I know I can work him from a neck rope, but I'd rather lay good foundations and have him happy to be approached and handled / caught with him completely at ease about the whole situation....we'll get there...slowly, steadily and with patience and sensitivity!
Ziggy has been in the same home from birth for four years, living with the same horses, being handled by the same people and in the last few weeks he's put up with being worked by a stranger, poked and prodded by a vet, popped on a wobbly metal box completely alone for a few hours and walks off at the end to be met by that strange lady in a strange place. For a horse with such fine breeding and sensitive nature I'm amazed that he's settled in so well!
He's still a little wary and watchful, but Ardiente is giving him such a good lead bless him....RD came to me as an incredibly shy 10 month old colt who'd lived in a headcollar from weaning as couldn't be caught without trickery by anyone other than his breeder (and even then only on HIS terms) and wouldn't let me within 10 ft of him when I first had him. With gentle patient handling he's now like a big affectionate dog who wants nothing more than to be scratched cuddled and fussed by the people he loves. He is truly adorable and he's such a steady chap he's the perfect companion for Ziggy.
Ziggy has been taking a bit of persuasion to be caught. I generally work on the mirroring movement / totally still approach with very low energy and non threatening body language. It's meant that every time I've wanted to be able to do something with him (from brushing, to doing a little in hand work, putting on fly spray, bathing his eye or just catching scratching and stroking and letting him go) I've been able to...it just takes maybe 5, 10 or 15 minutes. Not ideal when he'll be going down into a ruddy great 16 acre field in a few weeks!
With it being the weekend I've had the benefit of being able to go out on and off all day, pootle around, offer good quality scritches and I'm thrilled to say that by this evening Ziggy was finally approaching me for a stroke, letting me hold his headcollar if I wanted and generally giving me the vibe that he was happy in my company...phew!
I'll have to take the great leap of faith that is taking his headcollar off at some point in the next few days...the clicker might come out for this as when I've gone to change his fieldsafe one for my working rope halter it's been met with snorting wild eyed panic that takes real softly softly handling so far. I know I can work him from a neck rope, but I'd rather lay good foundations and have him happy to be approached and handled / caught with him completely at ease about the whole situation....we'll get there...slowly, steadily and with patience and sensitivity!
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
He's Here!
Have spent most of the day on tenterhooks, but all's well that ends well!
Top marks to Boothroyden Horse Transporters, we had a shared load at a great price...and Cezar spent the whole trip on his own in a very smart 3.5 ton box!
As he'd never loaded, never mind travelled before, we were all wondering how well he'd take to it, I'm thrilled and delighted to say that Cezar walked onto the box like he'd walk into a stable (a million times better than either of his other siblings I've had did!!
The driver said he'd stamped about a bit for around ten minutes, then settled down and took the journey like a pro.
Meanwhile I went over to the yard to do my stable chores and to get RD out of the paddock and walk him home for his job as companion to new boy.
Mr cool, calm and collected blotted his usually clean copy book and got horribly upset, neighing full blast in my ear for a good 10 minutes, dancing around at mowers, combines, and nearly giving a cyclist and I heart failure as he had a melt down about his presence.
Luckily he soon calmed down and I got my lovely dependable dude back and we had a lovely walk across the fields and up the bridleway to home.
I popped RD back in the smallest paddock and although he was a bit unsettled on his own, we didn't have long to wait before the driver called to say he was five minutes away!!!
Well Cezar popped off the box cool as a cucumber and led like a gentleman into the paddock next to RD's! Not even a hint of sweat - he'd travelled like a true pro!
We left them to sniff over the fence for an hour or so and get acquainted, but in the absence of any squealing or leg throwing from either boy, we popped them both on lead and I led RD into the big paddock. He got a threatened boot for attempting to sniff up C's bum, and there were a couple of grumbles, but all looking good we let them go.
Instant best buddies! They wandered off to graze together quite happily.
We went out a short while ago before it got dark to check on them and Cezar now feeling a little more sure of himself made it quite clear I wasn't allowed to come near him and turned his back on me and let fly with a hoof, just making contact.
Whoops not a good start! So I sent him off sharpish and put him on a big circle at liberty making him trot, change direction, trot, change direction...not chasing him or making a massive fuss about it - just basically keeping him doing the moving around me. I stopped, he stopped and I approached him. He let me catch him this time and I did some of the close foot moving work, sideways, forwards, backwards until he relaxed and I stood him up. Result! He stood and visibly relaxed, even to the point of resting a hind leg. He stayed where I'd put him as I moved around, came back to square and gave him plenty of praise.
The kick didn't worry me particularly, he was disrespectful as he did not feel comfortable with me - he did the same to RD when he felt that he'd overstepped the personal boundary, but working him precisely like he's used to put him totally at ease and hopefully got the message across that everything might be different but it's all going to be the same!!
We finished off with a lovely bow loose in the field so I could let him know he was all done. I only had to touch his leg and he gave it willingly and dropped his head, a bit of a wiggle as we balanced, but he gave me a super bow, a last scratch and stroke and it was goodnight boys!
He definitely suiting the tentative nickname we'd had in mind for him - So Ziggy (as in Ziggy CeZardust) it'll be, he's certainly rockstar material!!!
I hope Gordon & Zenda are happy with their choice of owner, all I can say is that I am truly thrilled to be that owner and of such a fabulous horse too - Definitely as happy as Larri :-D
Top marks to Boothroyden Horse Transporters, we had a shared load at a great price...and Cezar spent the whole trip on his own in a very smart 3.5 ton box!
As he'd never loaded, never mind travelled before, we were all wondering how well he'd take to it, I'm thrilled and delighted to say that Cezar walked onto the box like he'd walk into a stable (a million times better than either of his other siblings I've had did!!
The driver said he'd stamped about a bit for around ten minutes, then settled down and took the journey like a pro.
Meanwhile I went over to the yard to do my stable chores and to get RD out of the paddock and walk him home for his job as companion to new boy.
Mr cool, calm and collected blotted his usually clean copy book and got horribly upset, neighing full blast in my ear for a good 10 minutes, dancing around at mowers, combines, and nearly giving a cyclist and I heart failure as he had a melt down about his presence.
Luckily he soon calmed down and I got my lovely dependable dude back and we had a lovely walk across the fields and up the bridleway to home.
I popped RD back in the smallest paddock and although he was a bit unsettled on his own, we didn't have long to wait before the driver called to say he was five minutes away!!!
Well Cezar popped off the box cool as a cucumber and led like a gentleman into the paddock next to RD's! Not even a hint of sweat - he'd travelled like a true pro!
We left them to sniff over the fence for an hour or so and get acquainted, but in the absence of any squealing or leg throwing from either boy, we popped them both on lead and I led RD into the big paddock. He got a threatened boot for attempting to sniff up C's bum, and there were a couple of grumbles, but all looking good we let them go.
Instant best buddies! They wandered off to graze together quite happily.
We went out a short while ago before it got dark to check on them and Cezar now feeling a little more sure of himself made it quite clear I wasn't allowed to come near him and turned his back on me and let fly with a hoof, just making contact.
Whoops not a good start! So I sent him off sharpish and put him on a big circle at liberty making him trot, change direction, trot, change direction...not chasing him or making a massive fuss about it - just basically keeping him doing the moving around me. I stopped, he stopped and I approached him. He let me catch him this time and I did some of the close foot moving work, sideways, forwards, backwards until he relaxed and I stood him up. Result! He stood and visibly relaxed, even to the point of resting a hind leg. He stayed where I'd put him as I moved around, came back to square and gave him plenty of praise.
The kick didn't worry me particularly, he was disrespectful as he did not feel comfortable with me - he did the same to RD when he felt that he'd overstepped the personal boundary, but working him precisely like he's used to put him totally at ease and hopefully got the message across that everything might be different but it's all going to be the same!!
We finished off with a lovely bow loose in the field so I could let him know he was all done. I only had to touch his leg and he gave it willingly and dropped his head, a bit of a wiggle as we balanced, but he gave me a super bow, a last scratch and stroke and it was goodnight boys!
He definitely suiting the tentative nickname we'd had in mind for him - So Ziggy (as in Ziggy CeZardust) it'll be, he's certainly rockstar material!!!
I hope Gordon & Zenda are happy with their choice of owner, all I can say is that I am truly thrilled to be that owner and of such a fabulous horse too - Definitely as happy as Larri :-D
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Hello & Welcome!
This is the blog for a rather special little horse who came into my life quite by accident!
I took a trip up to see Gordon & Zenda Galley at Peak Lusitanos, breeders of my first Luso the beautiful Safira and my loan horse Bailarina. I was looking for a foal and one in particular; this years full sister to Bally as I love B to bits and what better to replace her when she heads back off North to her owner than her full sibling!
When I got there I watched Gordon work with the small but perfectly formed Cezar. As all their youngstock are he was by Assirico the same sire as my girls, but out of a pure Alter mare Lequia, four years old, recently gelded, stunning to watch.....and then Gordon threw me the rope and asked me to work with him.
What can I say, his quiet watchfulness, sensitivity and generosity of spirit wowed me, I think the look on my face at the end says it all...I was smitten from the word go!
I worked with Eclipse and played with Destina & Faisca, met all the mares and foals. I liked several of them but just couldn't get Cezar out of my mind
Luckily for me, my rather lovely husband knows me only too well and made a call to Gordon...result?? His offer on Cezar was accepted and this stunning boy was going to be mine!!
I've been up to see him twice since, once to work with him again under Gordon's eye, to make sure I was able to pick up the fine nuances of the sterling work he's done with Cezar over the last couple of months and again...well we were sort of in the area so I just went to say hello to him and give him a fuss and a cuddle - we live 3.5 hours away..I think that's what you call true love lol!!
He passed the vetting with flying colours, although I was quite amused when the vet told me that he saw who he was down to see and thought "oh Bollocks, not him" Apparently he'd been a little bit full of himself when he'd gelded him in April, but he was thrilled to tell me how calm and accepting Cezar had been throughout the whole very thorough vetting process and his parting words were "That is a FABULOUS little horse you've got yourself"
Well after a few hiccups, the transport is all booked and my beautiful boy will be hopping on a lorry and heading to Essex tomorrow. I can't wait!!
I took a trip up to see Gordon & Zenda Galley at Peak Lusitanos, breeders of my first Luso the beautiful Safira and my loan horse Bailarina. I was looking for a foal and one in particular; this years full sister to Bally as I love B to bits and what better to replace her when she heads back off North to her owner than her full sibling!
When I got there I watched Gordon work with the small but perfectly formed Cezar. As all their youngstock are he was by Assirico the same sire as my girls, but out of a pure Alter mare Lequia, four years old, recently gelded, stunning to watch.....and then Gordon threw me the rope and asked me to work with him.
What can I say, his quiet watchfulness, sensitivity and generosity of spirit wowed me, I think the look on my face at the end says it all...I was smitten from the word go!
I worked with Eclipse and played with Destina & Faisca, met all the mares and foals. I liked several of them but just couldn't get Cezar out of my mind
Luckily for me, my rather lovely husband knows me only too well and made a call to Gordon...result?? His offer on Cezar was accepted and this stunning boy was going to be mine!!
I've been up to see him twice since, once to work with him again under Gordon's eye, to make sure I was able to pick up the fine nuances of the sterling work he's done with Cezar over the last couple of months and again...well we were sort of in the area so I just went to say hello to him and give him a fuss and a cuddle - we live 3.5 hours away..I think that's what you call true love lol!!
He passed the vetting with flying colours, although I was quite amused when the vet told me that he saw who he was down to see and thought "oh Bollocks, not him" Apparently he'd been a little bit full of himself when he'd gelded him in April, but he was thrilled to tell me how calm and accepting Cezar had been throughout the whole very thorough vetting process and his parting words were "That is a FABULOUS little horse you've got yourself"
Well after a few hiccups, the transport is all booked and my beautiful boy will be hopping on a lorry and heading to Essex tomorrow. I can't wait!!
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