in the stable, molly's happy for me to be on her right.
loose schooling, she's happy to be on her right rein. she listens to me, i can change direction no problem (even with only the floodlights)
but attach a lunge line or whatever - not so happy.
the original plan had been long lines (probably two rein lunging) but that went out of the window as i wasn't going to be able to get roudn to her right side to attach the rein to the bit that side .... so my plan changed to having her go right,combined witih standing still
so loose schooling first, both directions.
that was fine.
walk trot walk trot.
then getting her to stand still, not so fine... partly my body language not so clever, i suppose, but still if i stand stock still i'm surely not doing anything to tell her to move.
then when she did come in to me, she'd stand, then start walking round me .... and pushing into me. i did work out what she's doing - counter pressure against me becaus she was actually using her body to move me....
eventuallyh got her to stand still ... and attached the lunge line to the bit -through both bit rings from the right so that i could hopefully try and get her to go right
which i did manage after putting the line round her back, walking round, as she's trying to go left I make myself large and point right ... she gives in, like she did the other week.....
i probably need someone to watch how i'm doing it.
but it still doesn't make sense.
why is she quite happy to be set off left, but not right?
why is she quite happy for me to be on her right except when she's going to be working?
why does she free school right when she won't lunge right without an argument?
has to be something physical about going right, one would have thought. But i can't think what. we've had everything checked out!
ah well, will persist with the exercises, get into the clicker, possibly a pressure halter as well (you can tell i've been reading maxwell as well as kurland!!!!) - here's a thought, can you combine the two?!
i can see where the pressure side works - that's why she eventually does go right, because i've put the pressure on enough and at the right moment .... so am i being inconsistent somewhere along the line?
ah well, more tomorrow ...
in the meantime, i moved the rug rack off the door and into the stable ... much better place for it, and happily the stable is more than large enough and it's on a wall she doesn't go near .... it's not where the bed is.....
Keeping My Fingers Crossed
8 years ago
2 comments:
Well, I am as baffled as you. Personally, at this point, I would do lots of neck bends for treats on the right side in the stall and see if, over a few days the bribery will let you get on her right in the school.
Sounds like something in her past making her defensive. You are going to have to convince her your work will not hurt her.
Yes, the pushing into you is her dominant body language. You really do need to make it clear with your body language that you are the dominant horse in all of this. She has apparently had the option of being boss in the past as well. She's not mean, just assertive and protective of herself.
You are doing a terrific job figuring out all the pieces of the puzzle. Soon something will begin to make sense.
you may be right on that jean (something in her past) .... i'll never know what though.
we'll get there.
I'm thinking more of the idea of pressure/release as a way forward than I am of clicker training ...it makes more sense in terms of the sort of stuff i was doing anyway.
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