Post by april on Jun 29, 2009 12:03:17 GMT -5
I want to spend some time with each of my horses, so I decide to work them physically and mentally. After I’ve lounged all of them under tack I put each of my horses out in a separate pasture and done a few warm up trust exercises including joinup. That's always a magical experience. Then I I approach from ten feet away, rub them all over with a twelve foot line and halter, and pick up all four feet from one side. Then I put the halter on.
The next step is to play all seven Parelli games, including the sideways and squeeze games both ways. The training book says to play the game over a jump, but I have to skip that step with my horses who aren't trained in jumping. The ones who can jump do beautifully at it though. After playing the games, I back them through gates, and then run forward with them and back up and stop without looking at them. Then I trailer them while standing outside the trailer, and wait ten seconds before letting them out.
The next phase is riding, so I saddle and mount each horse from one side and then the other three times, even though horses are normally handled from the left, to show their trust. I disengage their hindquarters and lead the front end around, then back them up a few steps. We ride two wide figure eights at the trot before cantering and bending to a stop. Pirate, being good at dressage, does best at this part, but the figure eight is simple so the others have no trouble either.
The next step is to put the natural hackamore on while on my knees, and then backing them up nine steps. After that I dismount, and pet each of them and praise them lavishly. They’ve done so much for me today, and I’m glad to give them a handful of treats as a reward.
Then I give all my horses the spa treatment, giving them each a turn in the poolwalker and on the treadmill, massaging them with oils, giving them an extra long grooming, shining their hooves, and braiding their manes and tails. Then I give them each a special treat and poltice and wrap their legs. They don't really need it, but it helps keep their legs in the best possible shape. Then I give them each a linament rub and lead them out to their paddocks.
The next step is to play all seven Parelli games, including the sideways and squeeze games both ways. The training book says to play the game over a jump, but I have to skip that step with my horses who aren't trained in jumping. The ones who can jump do beautifully at it though. After playing the games, I back them through gates, and then run forward with them and back up and stop without looking at them. Then I trailer them while standing outside the trailer, and wait ten seconds before letting them out.
The next phase is riding, so I saddle and mount each horse from one side and then the other three times, even though horses are normally handled from the left, to show their trust. I disengage their hindquarters and lead the front end around, then back them up a few steps. We ride two wide figure eights at the trot before cantering and bending to a stop. Pirate, being good at dressage, does best at this part, but the figure eight is simple so the others have no trouble either.
The next step is to put the natural hackamore on while on my knees, and then backing them up nine steps. After that I dismount, and pet each of them and praise them lavishly. They’ve done so much for me today, and I’m glad to give them a handful of treats as a reward.
Then I give all my horses the spa treatment, giving them each a turn in the poolwalker and on the treadmill, massaging them with oils, giving them an extra long grooming, shining their hooves, and braiding their manes and tails. Then I give them each a special treat and poltice and wrap their legs. They don't really need it, but it helps keep their legs in the best possible shape. Then I give them each a linament rub and lead them out to their paddocks.