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Discussion on Starting a horse to lunge
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2007 - 3:31 pm:
Dear HA friends
I am starting my two year old to very gentle lunging tomorrow. She is very quiet, she has all the basic leading training down as I took her to shows as a foal and yearling. I also did the young horse handling course run by our state agricultural advice service and I know the theory.
I'm trailering her to a very safe new lunging ring at a facility a few miles away. I don't anticipate any problems but I always believe in being prepared - anyone any advice?
I am going to lead her around the lunging ring in both directions first and reinforce "walk", "trot" and "whoah" commands which she knows first, then if she seems happy out, bring her into the centre and set her off on the left rein at trot so she doesn't have time to think too much.
Good plan?
All I want to do, as she's only 2, is get her the general idea of lunging - go around in a circle, do not stop unless I say, do not turn around, stay out at the end of the lunge line and do not turn in.
I plan to do 2 sessions a week of only 10 minutes for about 3 weeks, then nothing until next May.
All the best, thanks in advance for your advice.
Imogen
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 2:15 am:
Imogen,
John Lyons wrote a great book called "bringing up Baby that addresses all those things.
I have done ground work using Pareli techniques which are done first with a 12 foot line then 22 foot line using human body language to disengage the hindquarters, drive forward and do a variety of exersises that promote flexion and supple movement. They give both horse and handler interactive movement that does not result in the boredom of merely going in circles. Its fun and easy, results in respect etc. I use voice commands with these varied exercises and it seems to reinforce these voice commands very well.
Another way is with the techniques of either Clinton Anderson or David Reiss. All 4 have web-sites you may find helpful. As we all know I am no expert, Dennis will probably have something very helpful to say.
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Member:
dtranch
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 8:39 am:
Imogen ... 10 to 15 minute sessions is perfect. Keep the sessions short and varied to keep interest. I have a lot of exercises I do with the 12' lead to include lots of lateral flexes, disengaging hind, giving to pressure, etc. All are designed to build a bond with your horse and develop a mutual trust and respect.
First, lots of rubbing and touching to get your horse to accept your touch in all the vulnerable areas. Find the feel good spot and reward often.
Next, lateral flexes both with rope, and with just holding on to nose just above nostrils and get your horse to turn his head into you while standing next to him.
You can then work pressure points, getting horse to give all parts of body to your "push" pressure. Move head over, move shoulder over, move barrel over, move hindquarters. etc.
Then, I will work with the rope around the hip and ask the horse to move away from the pressure and walk off in opposite direction. Work on this until your horse will do all at a walk instead of "running" away from the pressure.
Finally, I will work on sending exercises and direction changes, all at a calm walk and trot.
All these exercises are designed to help your horse become soft and supple and confident ... and becoming your partner at the same time.
Hope some of this helps.
DT
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 9:49 am:
Ilona i use the Parelli games with my yearling too.. the friendly game has come in handy when there are spooky doings around us.. I have to say becus of this start he is the easiest colt i have raised and worked with  .. I like to get them to relax the pole too with a tap tap tap on the mane.. that really helps get the attention of them .. My average 15 min. lesson starts with the friendly game all over to relax.. then a tap tap tap to DrOp the pole , a relaxed back up at the end of my 12 foot rope and a come foreward with the lightest touch.. we disengage the hind end by a point of the finger both sides.. I touch his rib he presses his nose to where i touch.. then i send him out with a point all at the walk.. all tho.. he loves the falling leaf game and that will add some excitment and more energy .. after all is done , lots of belly rubs and the day is over..
Have fun.. its such a joy to see their young minds work and ENJOY..
** oh i don't work him daily , maybe sometime only once a week or less depending on temps and time..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 11:36 am:
It went very well. She walked away from her field buddies no problem, didn't mind having brushing boots put on, loaded into the trailer, up the bumpy laneway to the road with no fuss, travelled well, did not get upset with big lorries behind the trailer etc. etc.
She was a little bit excited in the lunge ring due to distraction of other horses being mounted up and ridden off nearby, but overall extremely calm.
We just introduced her to the lunge ring, walked her around in each direction, then on the lunge but with a second leader on an outside lead line for safety. We did "whoah" and "walk on". Because of the unpredictable distractions (we seem to have picked the busiest time at that yard) I decided not to take away the second leader this time - next time I will opt for the other lunge ring further away from the hustle and bustle. My friend's daughter was a brilliant 2nd pair of hands, could not have done it without her!
The filly was a little unhappy about loading back into the trailer but no actual resistance, just a little tap tap got her moving on and in, rather than standing half way up the ramp. She backed out of the trailer down the ramp both times with no fuss whatsoever.
On the way home we met up with the vet at my friends's yard and she got her flu/tetanus shot, so no doubt she will never want to go in that horse trailer ever again!
Dennis, could you explain to me a bit more about "rope around the hip and ask the horse to move away from the pressure and walk off in opposite direction"? Do you mean (if horse is on left rein) rope goes from halter on the outside, around horses's right hip, and back to your hand? Pressure on right hip from rope causes horse to turn right and thus change direction? If so, where do you put the whip while you are doing this?
I'm afraid I've never seen anyone with good results from the Parelli stuff here so I rather dismissed it to date, and also the silly names for the games plus the need to buy extra gear all put me off looking at it in detail... but obviously some people find it very good so I guess I did not look hard enough!
Thanks all
Imogen
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Member:
dtranch
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 12:00 pm:
Imogen ...
Standing next to the horses left shoulder, I take the lead down the right side from the halter to the right hip and around the rear and hold in my right hand. Then when I apply slight pressure with the rope, the horse will eventually move rear to the left and around until the front is heading out to the right. If whip is needed, I would keep it in my left hand and as the horse gets turned, use it to encourage forward out to the right at a walk. After a circle or two, I ask for the disengage of the hind to face me and invite in for bonding. Repeat in both directions.
I agree ... all the silly names seem to be a turn off to me as well. It's all marketing I guess.
DT
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 - 4:47 pm:
I don't use the equipment of Parelli, I use my nylon halter and lunge ropes.. I use my dressage whip for extra arm length.. I think the silly names make it easier to know what one is talking about if they look into the program.. I too was one to say its all a circus act , who needs it.. but have learned that the time spent on the silly named games is what is important and the proof is in the results..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 1:28 am:
Yeah, silly names and marketing turned me off also....but I do find the games teach much more than 'just' lunging.
I also use many of John Lyons ideas as well.
The thing is these games aren't just to spend time with the horse they actually are teaching lessons, to the horse but also to the handler.
There are specific exercises that you try to accomplish and in doing so you despook, teach lightness, respect, obedience, go forward, lay the foundation for further training.
I use a regular nylon rope halter, no knots, and a 12 ft lead rope I made myself. I don't have a round corral either, so have made do with a square corral, and now just the side of a corral.
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 4:07 am:
I should also explain when you are mailing stuff to Europe from north America it is phenomenally expensive (mailing usually more than cost of product) and the videos are the wrong format so then you have to duplicate them... this is the other reason why I always seem to get nowhere with Parelli, Lyons, Anderson etc. - too many bumps in the road... I have a friend who has done the Parelli course so I'm going to ask her to come and help me and see if we get anywhere that way.
Imogen
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Member:
dtranch
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 8:31 am:
Ann .. didn't mean to insult you. All these exercises are extremely useful for both horse and rider and I use them all the time. It's just the freakin' names that drive me crazy. Maybe it is just a guilt complex .. If I am playing the "yo yo" or "porcupine" game, I don't feel like I am working ... got to give the customer their money's worth right.
DT
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 9:35 am:
DT, you did not insult me.... I am very thick skinned it takes a lot more to get my goat!
Lori, I hear you loud and clear.. I have a filly that was broke the ''Parelli way'' .. I went outside my box and let my gal friend work with her.. That is what convinced me the 'silly' named games have merit.. When she got on this filly after all the ground work / games.. she could leg yield/ side pass / shoulder in / haunches in .. All becus she understood how to move her body parts independently and understood pressure.. I am a convert.. It does not have to be Parelli or Dennis Reis or .. its about the amount of training on the ground that comes thru in the saddle.. I was truly amazed and impressed with the methods..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 11:34 am:
Ann,
I am familiar with the Parelli level 1 games (went through it with my mare). But - what is the "falling leaf" game?
Just went to a Clinton Anderson tour event - very impressive (and he does not have a lot of names to remember). However - the principles are the same as Parelli's and the tools very similar. It all comes down to reading your horse, releasing the pressure at the right time to give the reward, and being consistent. I think that is what Dennis is always telling us.
Lilo
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 12:21 pm:
I have to laugh about the effect the names of the games have. I, too, thought they were pretty dumb until I realized that part of the psychology of even calling them "games" is for the human's benefit. You can think of training as serious work, or you can think of it as play and having a good time with the horse. Since your attitude when working with the horse is different when you think of it as work vs. play, I believe it conveys to the horse. I'd much rather play with my horse, I'm happier when I play, and I then don't take everything so seriously. Now, whenever I go to get my horse from the field, I go with the attitude of "come out and play with me" (even though I have a lesson or goal of some sort in mind.
Dennis, you're too funny with your Puritanical work ethic. As a customer, I respect your ability to communicate and show my horse the way. I'd be happier if I thought my horse found it to be play vs. work. And I think it's important to also show us humans how to "play" with our horses. Play denotes happiness. Is that enough to get ride of your guilt?
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Member:
dtranch
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 2:09 pm:
Feelin' better already Dove ....
And .... just between you and me, I will continue playing, even with customer's horses. By the way, how did the horse soccer turn out.
DT
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 2:13 pm:
Lilo, the falling leaf game is basically a figure 8 done either in front of you as you are walking in a straight line toward the horse, or can be done as you face the horse but are walking back wards in a straight line.. It can be done at all gaits, and is a start on teaching a flying lead change at the canter.. These transitions need to be done with very little work from the human, it just a lean of the hip or a point in the direction.. the horse does all the work.. My mare LOVES this game and gets very excited.. the horses DO play and learn .. I think tho, game or training what ever you want to call it.. ITS TIME SPENT CORRECTLY with your horse that builds the confidence and training..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 3:27 pm:
 Yay, DT! We played horse soccer a couple of times. We've got our riding ring so full of jumps, logs, labyrinth, and cones that it takes a lot to clear everything out! ( )
My and my daughter's horses are sorta blase' with the soccer ball, but we have a 17 y.o. TB at our boarding barn who is a natural! He loved it from the moment he saw the ball. He can walk, kick and kicks from the trot too! A regular Pele! All the other horses are intimidated by his skill. Thanks for asking, though. It reminds me to set up a soccer play date with the group!
My feeling about lunging is that it's a wonderful part of a whole. When I first started lunging my horse (at 3, he'd never been lunged before), he was bored very quickly, and then started acting up. Same with Parelli games. I got on a kick and played those, but I thought I had to perfect them before moving on. Not. My horse got bored with those too.
Now, I realize my horse is happiest when we really mix things up a lot. The exposure he gets from a wide range of exercises and games, as well as away clinics (obstacle courses and bombproofing) has been the most helpful to develop a confident and calm horse. I just bought (yet another!) book called "Groundwork Training for your Horse" by Lesley Bayley. It is a collection of games and groundwork exercises from eight+ various trainers. I'm always looking for new ideas and ways to play and learn. (If I were a bit more creative, I'd save a ton of money on books.)
Back to lunging, though: I found the most important part of lunging is to set it up so the horse's body is on the arc of the circle, and that he maintains that arc with no pressure from the lunge line. You might need to correct the bend by pointing your whip or twirling your rope at the neck or hip, or whichever part of the body is straight and off the arc. Eventually, the goal is for the horse to maintain the arc himself. You should also watch to see that the inside hind foot is placed underneath and inside the track. This emphasis on maintaining the arc is probably best started after you get the youngster used to being on a lunge line, listening and following word cues, and staying in the requested gait until the next signal comes. There's a lot of skill and finese that is required in properly lunging a horse. Alois Podhajsky explains it very well in his book, "The Complete Training of Horse and Rider." Podhajsky was the Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. I think this book should be in every equestrian's library.
Finally, I found that a few minutes a day (like 5 or 10 minutes) does much more than lunging for a longer time. Also, I was glad that my horse got use to hearing the snap of a lunge whip. As long as it never touches the horse, they get use to it relatively quickly. I think it will help in the long run for the horse to accept a variety of sounds without spooking.
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 5:29 pm:
I've heard good things about that Lesley Bayley book too... must try and get it. Thanks for reminding me, Dove2.
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 - 9:50 pm:
Sorry is this is off subject, but Dove2, would you give us your opinion of the book--and any other with creative ground work? I've been buying one or two yearlings in the spring of their yearling year, working with them on the ground and selling them as two year olds with a year of ground work. My way of insuring they get one of the limited good permanent homes! Anyway, I'm always looking for creative stuff to do on the ground. And as everyone has said, boy does that translate to a listening, focused, soft horse almost from the first ride! If only every horse could have a year of pre-saddle training! Along the way, they develop an attitude of thinking rather than reacting, of looking for answers instead of resisting, and are about as bombproof as horses get! Maybe we should start another post--Creative Groundwork?? Thanks, Julie
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 3:48 am:
Julie, let's do it here as there seems to be a lot of interest in this topic. Which exercises are you using at the moment, that you find helpful? Then maybe others will chip in with their favourites?
Do you use a round pen or lunging ring, or are they mostly exercises you can do anywhere?
All the best
Imogen
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 9:36 am:
Imogen, Dove2 started a new thread-Ground Work Ideas. I don't do a lot of round pen work as I think it's hard on young joints, but do teach them the basics of lunging. I do a lot of in hand obstacles--and I prefer to "send" them or direct them rather than lead them. This means first establishing a go forward cue. If I am on the horses left, I will face them at about the shoulder, reach my left hand with the lead rope out to my left, pointing the way I want them to go. Then if that doesn't work, a tap on the hip with a short, ridgid whip. At first you may have to keep tapping until the first sign of forward movement, then immediately stop. Pretty soon they respond to just the pointing. Once they have learned a "go forward", or "send" cue, you can use it for lots of things, especially trailer loading. This way, you don't have to go inside a trailer with them. You can send them over things like a square of cardboard, a tarp, a piece of carpet, etc. You can send them between a fence and another obstacle like a barrel or mounting block. You can send them between or over ground poles or cavaletti. Anyone have any more imaginative ideas?
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 11:36 am:
Ann is the falling leaf game one of Parrelli's.
I would like to know more about how to teach it.
Thanks
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 1:18 pm:
I ditto Dove2 with the sending exercise. Very effective to gain focus on me, and something I use in a variety of locations. I think my body posture is the most important part of lunging. I found this article very helpful when learning. Even though he speaks about round pen training, the same concepts apply to lunging.
https://www.kbrhorse.net/tra/round01.html
Good luck,
Linda
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 5:52 pm:
Great website Linda. Really makes sense of things. Thanks for posting the link.
Imogen
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 6:00 pm:
Lori, on the thread, Groundwork Ideas, Linda kind of talks of the ''falling leaf'' game .. I am sure she does not call it that.. but it sounds like what we do.. It is so hard to put on paper/computer, so much easier for you to see it.. .. Doing this exercise gets the horse more engaged behind, a very good exercise for the reiners that do the roll backs or what ever they call the turns.. I ride Dressage, but have noticed my mare is more aware of where her legs/feet are in doing this exercise. So my transitions up or down are better placed..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 6:54 pm:
Ann - thanks for explaining the "falling leaf" game.
I would like to try that with my mare - have a long way to go with the gelding, because he tends to barge through the cues. He needs a lot more work backing.
Lilo
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 8:07 pm:
''barge through the cues'' sounds like he needs some boundaries respect lessons too Get him more active with the disengagement of the hind end with 'softer' cues .. back up and draw foreword with just a soft touch.. the games are building blocks just like any riding is.. Again i want to stress I am not a Parelli advocate, what i do know tho is that ground work is the key to a successful partnership with your riding horse or otherwise..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
dtranch
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Posted on Friday, Jul 13, 2007 - 8:51 am:
Ann .. you are right on point with the importance of groundwork .. and I am always amazed at how little ground work most people do. I always tell my clients that even if you ride a "lot", 90% of what you do is on the ground. You feed them, you groom them, you tack them up, you worm them, and so on. All of which I would assume is from the ground.
They will tell me what a wonderful horse this is on the trail, and I watch them fight every time they tack up to get ready for the ride. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm ...
The key is to get a soft and supple horse that respects you on the ground. Any exercise that does this is good, and the options are limited only by your own imagination.
DT
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Friday, Jul 13, 2007 - 2:37 pm:
OK, where I'm going to have trouble is getting this horse to back away eg on a loose line, because she's one of those animals you cannot photograph as she will always walk towards you... it's just in all the youngsters from that stallion, they are very curious and always want to be with you. I can move her backwards easily by light pressure on the chest, she already knows that one.
I also have a noise and a movement I make when I want her to go away eg step back from the gate, which all my horses know. Should I just start using that in the lunge pen, or what other advice would you have with a horse that is going to be hard to move away from the handler? How do you reward a horse for correctly stepping back on signal without having to move forward in to them to give them a rub (which is exactly what she wants and ruins the lesson...)??
Imogen
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Friday, Jul 13, 2007 - 3:04 pm:
Here's what I'd try Imogen: First, use your same noise and movement to get her to back a step in several different circumstances. Then ask for a couple of steps, but let off your cue the moment she even leans back. Build on this, without bringing her forward between times. It may mean you have to walk back with her, but don't let her come forward. Then, when you do it in your lunge pen, or on the line, ask for the step back, then relax your body posture. If she steps forward, IMMEDIATELY send her off at a good fast trot for another lap or two. Then try again. Keep repeating. She will soon figure out that in order to stand still and rest, she can't move toward you until you ask her to. You may have to repeat several times until she's wanting a rest, but she'll figure it out. Aren't young horses fun? I love the interaction and the light bulb moments when they "get it"!
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 14, 2007 - 10:19 am:
Thanks Julie - it went really well again today, we lunged her around without a leader in walk, did some yielding to pressure work and also did backing up - which to my surprise was no problem, you just shake/wiggle the lead and make the back noise and gesture and she does it although she did look extremely concerned for my sanity.
I also revised "trot" command on the lead rope with her ready to try a bit of trot on the lunge next time as she has not done it since the last show we went to a year ago.
She finds moving sideways ("over" command) hard - she can move front or hind end away from pressure no problem but she does not like to step sideways with both ends unless someone is in front of her to stop her moving forwards. Anyone got a good tip for that one?
All the best
Imogen
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 14, 2007 - 10:42 am:
Hi, Imogen.
How close to the horse are you when asking for sideways?
The key is practice and consistancy . . . nothing more, but we can make it a bit easier if we place our bodies at the girth area, I think. If we are too far back we will get a turn on the forehand, and if we are too close to the shoulder, we will get a turn on the haunches. Pick your spot and ask and reward when you get any type of sideways . . . , but be sure you place your body in the same place and give the same cues every time. I find that I can just move my chest (lean forward) toward some of my horses now, and they will understand that I am going to ask for "over," and for some of the horses that have been with me for many years, I can just point to the back of the girth area and they will move over.
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 14, 2007 - 12:17 pm:
Imogen, To keep your horse from moving forward for your sidepassing, position her facing a fence or barn wall. Oftentimes, this maneuver is taught to the horse by first asking for the shoulders to move over, then the hips, then the shoulders, then the hips, etc. Once they understand the concept, they will refine it and get more coordinated in moving all those feet.
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 - 6:00 pm:
Oops thought I posted but I must have forgotten to press send... I stand at the girth facing the horse, applying pressure with fingertips on the shoulder and behind the girth. I will try it again facing a wall or fence and see if that helps. she can do hips first then shoulders or vice versa, it's just all at once that she finds hard.
Imogen
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 - 7:53 pm:
It will "click" with her, Imogen.
If she has the cue for "move your haunches sideways," and has the cue for "move your shoulders sideways," then it won't be long before she puts them together. The first time she goes directly sideways stepping over with her front and hinds, then go "bananas" over her and give her a treat . . . Then . . . maybe let her "sleep on it" and try again the next day. Pretty soon, if you are using a verbal cue, too, then she will just move over from the pressure of your body language, and that will be really great. (Silly horses already know how to do it when cued by another horse.)
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 18, 2007 - 4:43 pm:
Another session today - I was on my own and had a plan for how to load her if any problems but she just walked into the trailer beside me no fuss first time! Five gold stars and a big pat!
Everything went fine, and she is now doing Denis' turns with the lunge rope on the haunches and we got one good sideways "over" movement out of her.
But I do not think I am quite fast/good enough with the lunge whip for a young horse to keep them consistently on a round circle (she either goes oval if there are other horses on one side of the ring, or tries to turn into me for comfort) so I am going to get a friend who trained in Germany to lunge her for the next session. She did it fine but I think a young horse does not need the trainer wallying about not being able to flick the whip exactly where it's intended. Also I need a longer lunge whip...
Imogen
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Member:
dtranch
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 19, 2007 - 9:13 am:
Imogen ... one thing to consider.
Make sure you are focusing your pressure to go forward just behind front shoulder, and not at the rear. I refer to this as the "drive line".
If you focus on the rear with your body language, the horse will tend to straighten out and then turn and move into you. If you focus at the head, he will want to stop or turn away.
Just remember ... on the drive line means forward, behind drive line means release the rear and turn in to face you, and in front of drive line means transition down or stop. The location of pressure and amount of pressure applied means different things.
DT
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 19, 2007 - 5:29 pm:
You got it in one, Denis. I think I am not being quite consistent enough on the drive line, and am confusing her.
Wish you were here, would you like a trip to Ireland? Bring Holly and Christine and Corinne and all the others I've forgotten to mention, we'd have a great time... we could time it to coincide with Goresbridge horse sales for Cheryl A...
Though I don't think any of you would enjoy the summer we are (not) having, it's excessively wet even by Irish standards. Yesterday the famous stone bridge at Leenane that features in "The Quiet Man", the John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara film, was washed away by flash floods.
All the best
Imogen
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 19, 2007 - 7:40 pm:
Always wanted to see Ireland . . . although not in the rain. Can you guarantee some four-leaf clovers and leprechauns? Hope no one was hurt when the bridge washed out and that you can still make your way into town for necessities. How old was the bridge?
Maybe you should put the longe-line teaching on the back burner and work on teaching your horse to swim? Or paddle a dingy?
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Friday, Jul 20, 2007 - 2:03 am:
Holly don't worry, the bridge is up near Galway about 4 hours away but it's one of the bits of Irish landscape that many people across the pond would know from the film... there are pictures all over the newspapers here. We are well flood-proofed in our little valley (I hope...)
Leprechauns - our local tramp Patsy who used to wear a "smurf" hat and sit in the ditches (roadside stone walls covered in grass/brambles) used to nearly cause traffic accidents with US tourists who thought they HAD seen one... sadly he passed away last autumn.
Imogen
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 21, 2007 - 5:31 pm:
So today I nearly killed the 2 yo through stupidity...
We arrived at the facility with the lunge rings and the rain was absolutely bucketing down. I didn't want to leave her in the box on her own in case she got in a tizzy but it was too wet to ask someone to come and help me unload. As she unloaded fine on her own with me last time, I untied her, put the rope over her neck, and unusually decided to put a little slip not in it to stop the rope falling down and her standing on it. Don't ever do this, not that you would...
I went around the back, opened the ramp and the bar, no problems. Then somehow she got the rope caught on the partition, panicked, could not break the rope, it was tightening on her neck, I could not push her forward to loosen it.
Thank goodness the person who was due to help me lunge heard me calling for help, he was totally calm and brilliant, he stopped her trying to fight backwards out of the box while I managed to go around the front and get just enough slack to unhook the lead rope. He then very sensibly as soon as we had checked her over told me to load her back in straight away so she did not get a phobia about the box. We left her in there for about half an hour (supervised) while the rain continued.
He did the lunge session with me although the lunge ring was about 2 inches deep in water from the deluge. She was great despite the conditions, no real problems except trying to trot when we wanted her to walk, and she loaded and unloaded fine on the way home. I give her A1 for temperament that she coped with it all, and me nothing at all for being so incredibly stupid. It's a great shame as she already had a problem with pulling back when tied as a result of a horsebox accident when she was a foal and no doubt her prejudices have now been reinforced...
Anyway, thank goodness for kind, knowledgeable, sensible horsey friends who don't panic! And by the way I was thinking of Holly and you my HA friends this morning when my husband and I were changing the hydraulic oil on the tractor, and enjoying the whole thing instead of thinking "annoying chore to be got through before I can start on the horses".
All the best
Imogen
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 21, 2007 - 6:55 pm:
Don't beat yourself up too badly Imogen--look what you learned! This is the reason I am so insistent that if the horse is tied in the trailer, he must be tied AFTER the door is shut and untied BEFORE it is opened again. They will absolutely panic when they hit the end of that rope. In your case, you did everything right and had an education anyway! Your friend sounds like a treasure--who else would insist on doing the right thing for the horse even as rain poured down?
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 21, 2007 - 7:56 pm:
Poor Imogen 
As Julie said, your helper at the barn is, indeed, brilliant to have such a great demeanor and understanding of horses.
Your intentions were good, Imogen. How can you keep the horse from stepping on the rope without a slipknot? I often throw the leads over the horses' backs, but many of my leads are so long that the horses trample them from the off side. Would slipping a loop through the throatlatch work? Not tying it, just putting a loop through and leaving the end out.
 Ahhh . . . changing tractor oil together . . . how wonderful. How 'bout sending your tractor-wise neighbor with the cane over to the U.S. . . . Kansas to be exact . . . as I'm a holy terror around machinery and could use his mechanical wisdom. Thank goodness that tractor's don't have emotions or mine would be in total despair.
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007 - 9:04 am:
Well, today was great. She did everything beautifully - loaded, unloaded, lunged. It has been a really pleasurable experience to see her learning, I thank you all here for your help as well as my friend who has been helping out in person.
I plan one more session with her when I'll try to get her wearing a roller, then I will leave her off until the autumn when I might do a little bit of loose schooling/jumping with her. I'll try to get someone to take a picture next week so I can post it here.
All the best
Imogen
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