Yesterday I tried out something new with Star, a game called "chase the Tiger" achieve1dream did and excellent post and video of it on her blog here I've done quite a bit of spookbusting with reinforcing Star for touching scary objects but had been kind of stuck as to how to move on. The idea of the horse actually chasing the object seemed like a great way of building more confidence.
I tied a handkerchief on the end of a lunge whip and just got Star to target it on the floor, then gradually started to move it and reinforce her for following it. The you can gradually flick and move it different directions. A couple of times when I flicked it Star gave it a very wide berth and hid behind me but this is the kind of game you can progress at their pace and I was really pleased how much more confident Star is when tackling scary objects. I've also gone back to doing a bit of matwork, which I'd like to progress if I can find several rubber doormats so we can use them as halt stations.
I know I haven't blogged much of late, partly due to the fact I'm trying to do more art and also partly due to the fact I've become very disillusioned with the world of horses generally. I've kind of gotten to the stage where I feel I can't say anything in case people take umbrage to it or dissect it to the tiniest degree. I have to say some of the positive trainers I've come across are also the most negative people I've come across too. Some people appear to have little better to do with their time than look at what everyone else is doing and criticise it in private. The other thing in the world of horses is lots of people seem to think they are "right" and try and ram their opinions down everyone elses throats, just because a horse is not micromanaged and wrapped in rugs doesn't mean they're neglected. Worse still are those that use horses as an excuse to bully people.
I really like Alex Kurland's training methods, they're right for me and Star, but I only choose the bits that are relevant to us. In fact I'll look at any trainer and use bits and pieces I think might prove valuable to us. I do matwork with Star because I've found it useful but if you don't like mats don't bloody use one, simple as, find a more constructive use of time than criticising those of us that do find it helpful. I'd just got to the stage lately where I'm completely fed up with it and wanted it out of my life altogether, negativity breeds negativity and it seeps into your life without you realising, which is why I no longer go on horse forums. I have Star because I love her and enjoy spending time with her, I don't have her as some kind of social facilitator so I can move within certain social circles. I'm not perfect, I make loads of mistakes which hopefully I learn from, and I think the learning will be lifelong, she teaches me far more than I could ever teach her. As long as Star is happy I'm happy too and that is what owning a horse should be; joy, companionship and a lifelong journey :)
I'm sorry people have been ugly. :( I ran into that too on my Farmer blog. So far I haven't had that problem with Chrome's blog. I completely understand how you feel though, but I hope it won't stop you from blogging. Did you get bad comments here or was it a forum? I tend to steer clear of forums too. I still like to read them for the helpful bits of info I can find, but I rarely ever post to them because there's always a loser who has something ugly to say. I'm glad you're back. I've missed reading about Star and I've missed your comments. I always felt like we could bounce ideas off of each other for clicker training.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Star is enjoying Chase the Tiger. Have you noticed if she has a strong chase instinct yet? Chrome's is really strong, but I think it has to do with him not being gelded yet. He likes to chase dogs, goats, horses, poor donkey, the handkerchief. :) He's such a good boy, but I sure can't wait for this fall to get him gelded. I'm getting so sick of his stud like attitude sometimes. Anyway I'm glad you're back and I hope you'll still post about Star when you can.
I was talking about this to a friend of mine the other day, she's had an awful time on the internet, and she just said "you know sometimes I feel greyed by the world" and I thought yeah that's how I feel too! It just seems like whatever you do someone just has to dislike it, even though it's not affecting them. I don't like celery but I'm not going to moan about other people eating it ;) I have completely given up forums, this feeling has been cumulative for some while, I felt other peoples negativity was getting into my life, and the worst thing, stopping me enjoying Star as much as a should. So I'm just going to listen to MY intution from now on and as long as me and Star are having fun that's all that counts. And I'll keep blogging as I find it so useful to be able to look back at stuff, plus like you I enjoy the ability to see what people are doing and bounce ideas :)
ReplyDeleteStar doesn't seem to have a strong chasing instinct but she does like the targeting. When I started flicking the rope she was a bit worried as the handkerchief was moving rapidly so I just slowed it down, reinforced her for investigating and gradually built it up. Have to say it's a great way of getting her moving as we do far too much stuff where she's still and need to balance that out. Plus I'm hoping it will give her confidence as that's something we always need to work on so thanks for posting it :D
I'm glad you are both enjoying something together. Never mind what other people say or think. I expect they reared their own children by books and forced them into 'clones' of some paediatrician's beliefs. Diversity makes the world go round. Viva a difference!
ReplyDeleteAs long as Star's happy that's all that counts really. I don't know if it's the world of horses, or even just the world, but people seem to be so negative all the time. I've just decided that my leisure time is valuable and I'm not spending it getting involved in stuff on the net I don't want to :-)
ReplyDeleteI think it's the whole world, not just the horse world sadly.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're going to keep blogging. I would have missed you and Star!
I really like Chase the Tiger for getting them moving too! That's one of the things I liked because I need to exercise Chrome more (at more than just a walk), but I can't lunge him because his joints are too immature. I need to get him out in the open though. The only reason I work with him in the round pen is because the grass is so tall out in the pasture. He does great in open areas though so I might just have to get out there and mow. He needs long straight lines to get exercise without stressing his baby joints. :) I'm glad you're finding it useful for Star.
That forum that I found Chase the Tiger on seems like a nice one full of great info. One of their "rules" is being nice and accepting of everyone's views. I've done a lot of looking through it and haven't found an argument yet I don't think. Most of the material is old, but that doesn't bother me because I don't care to comment. I just want to read it. :) If you find the time you should be safe to check it out without having to read a bunch of bickering and posturing. :D
Oh duh I forgot to comment about your comment hehe. Thanks for watching my video on saddling Chrome. That is a Wintec. It's an older model, but I'm not sure if it's an actual dressage saddle or an all purpose. I don't really care either way. I think Chrome's probably going to outgrow it (he's already using a wide gullet and it only goes to extra wide), but for now it's a great training tool. Even if I never sit in it. :D
ReplyDeleteHi...I just found your blog last night (through achieve1dream's blog)!
ReplyDeleteThe post really hit close to home with me. I haven't received negative comments (yet!) but I know they're out there and people are so rude with their darn opinions. I do have to say that I'm having trouble loading Grayson and I had two separate bloggers with two WAY different strategies comment on the post and we're nice about it. They suggested their way and said you have to do what works for you though. That's what I don't think people get...horse training is not one size fits all. If only I could stop worrying what people (online and in real life) think. :) Because it doesn't matter and you're right when you said you guys are happy and that's what is important!
Anyhow, great post!
Thanks Julie. I think you're absolutely right every single horse/owner combination is unique and it's really a case of finding out what works for you. There is never one simple answer. Problem I think is people are sometimes so completely convinced their way is "right" they stop seeing anything else outside of it. I'm always aware there are things I can do with Star I probably wouldn't be able to with another horse, play around with her mouth being one of those.
ReplyDeleteI can empathise with you as I've had many negative comments over the years and it's took me a long time to get to the stage where I feel comfortable enough to not let it undermine me. Even now I still have a bit of a problem dealing with some equine professionals who look at me like I'm completely insane when I say I allow Star to walk away if something gets too much, and giving her that space builds trust. They just think she learns she can not do stuff if she doesn't want to, when the opposite is the case, she trusts me more as she knows I listen. We're never happier than when it's just the two of us and I don't need to worry about what anyone else thinks :)