I really wished I had grabbed my gopro for this session. Rocky did SO WELL!! He was much more forward on the way there, noticeably less concerned about leaving Daisy. Although he did bray at her a few times LOL, he didn't do that yesterday. I tell ya being right up next to his head when braying...WOWZERS....holy ass loudness!!
On the way there he was walking on much better, kinda a mix of the 'go forward cue' and WWYLM. He got reinforced for sniffing scary stuff on the ground - cracks in the asphalt & patches. Then he met a mailbox LOL. All the horses in the area were super spunky this morning!! The herd of three that lives behind us were galloping along the fence when they saw him. Then my friend's gelding was running around bucking & snorting. Which caught Rocky off guard at one point and he kinda spooked in place - but no bolting, like he has done in the past. The next time the gelding came reeling around I reinforced Rock for standing quietly ( and bravely!). We then made our way to meet the other gelding for a moment before tying at the hitching post. I'm always so thankful that Rocky ties REALLY well.
We started making our way back, I really use this to my advantage for walking on, so I was working him with my hands as though I was riding. I asked him for some halts which he did pretty well at. Then some kids were coming down the road, one on a bicycle & one on a scooter. I walked him up to where we could be off the road and turned him around to watch the kids go by. He did great, he didn't really show any concern over them. We continued down the road, got to my property where he brayed some more at Daisy LOL. Then made it to our driveway. I decided to ask him to respond to rein cues. At first it took him a second but he quickly caught on to what I was asking. After a handful of sucessful turns we called it quits.
I think he did so fantastic! I believe it's really strengthening our bond & him being confident in me away from Daisy. Looking forward to a session today. I'd really like to do some stuff under saddle, so I might have him ride to some targets. I'll probably start on the ground and if he does well I'll get on him. It's up to him!
Good times!!
On the way there he was walking on much better, kinda a mix of the 'go forward cue' and WWYLM. He got reinforced for sniffing scary stuff on the ground - cracks in the asphalt & patches. Then he met a mailbox LOL. All the horses in the area were super spunky this morning!! The herd of three that lives behind us were galloping along the fence when they saw him. Then my friend's gelding was running around bucking & snorting. Which caught Rocky off guard at one point and he kinda spooked in place - but no bolting, like he has done in the past. The next time the gelding came reeling around I reinforced Rock for standing quietly ( and bravely!). We then made our way to meet the other gelding for a moment before tying at the hitching post. I'm always so thankful that Rocky ties REALLY well.
We started making our way back, I really use this to my advantage for walking on, so I was working him with my hands as though I was riding. I asked him for some halts which he did pretty well at. Then some kids were coming down the road, one on a bicycle & one on a scooter. I walked him up to where we could be off the road and turned him around to watch the kids go by. He did great, he didn't really show any concern over them. We continued down the road, got to my property where he brayed some more at Daisy LOL. Then made it to our driveway. I decided to ask him to respond to rein cues. At first it took him a second but he quickly caught on to what I was asking. After a handful of sucessful turns we called it quits.
I think he did so fantastic! I believe it's really strengthening our bond & him being confident in me away from Daisy. Looking forward to a session today. I'd really like to do some stuff under saddle, so I might have him ride to some targets. I'll probably start on the ground and if he does well I'll get on him. It's up to him!
Good times!!
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