Lately, when I play with Solo, I've noticed that he doesn't look completely happy. He has the expression on his face like "I'll do it, but I really don't want to do it!" About 3 days ago, I decided to figure out what was causing that, because a year ago he didn't have that expression. We started out our play session with some Touch It on the 45 foot line. He had that sour expression, so I decided to bring him in and just wait, because he is an RBI. I think I waited for about 5-10 minutes before I finally got a lick and chew! YAY! After that, I knew I was on the right track. I asked him to go touch some other things, and then brought him in again and waited... and waited... and waited. Well finally he sighed a BIG sigh, then licked his lips and looked at me like okay, what's next? I had him go touch something else, and then I decided to be done, because when I brought him in, he blew out his nose, sighed, and licked his lips. After that his expression totally changed. His eyes were bright and his face just looked lighter, like he lifted himself out of the fog.
So could have really been that I wasn't waiting long enough for him, and he was beginning to feel like a robot? I hate to admit it, but I think so! After I decided to end our session, we just spent some UDT togethe, and I was thinking that I couldn't think of the last time I had really sat down and just hung out with Solo. I'm so ashamed! How did I get so caught up in being "great" that I forgot about the relationship? I was so focused on doing all these advanced things, but it doesn't even matter if my horse isn't happy! =( So, from now on, Solo creates the time line! DUH!
As I was sitting there with Solo, deep in thought about how right out stupid I was, he reached down, put his nose on my cheek as if to say thank you, and it was hard no for me to break out in tears! I love that guy so much!
Well, ever since I realized that, our play sessions have been completely different! Solo almost always looks happy, and we've progressed so much more now that I have the relationship back in mind! How simple! I'm so glad horses are as forgiving as they are! Sheesh!
Well, that's all for now!
Savvy On!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
That's great! I'm so glad things are going so well! One thing I noticed though, is that you said once he did whatever task, you brought him back in and then waited. Are you waiting while he is doing the task as well? For instance, if you send him to the cone, and he heads over there, paws it, and looks around, what do you do? You should wait until he looks at you, even if it takes 5 minutes. If you're bringing him back in before he is really ready, you could actually be interupting his play drive. I work with a horse like that at the barn I work at, where if you send him over to something, you'd better be prepared to wait for a while, because he will spend up to 10 minutes out there pawing, nibbling, looking around, standing still, all without actually looking at you. If you send him on to something else or bring him back too early, he gets a very "worried" expression. Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advise! I do wait for a question! That was a big BFO for me a couple of years ago when I first got the L&HB! I think I was just blowing past the relaxation. He usually asks a question within 30 seconds of doing a task, so that part is great! Thanks for the advise though! I really appreciate it! :D
ReplyDeleteI have an RBI/LBI and this works so well for her! She does just what you said..
ReplyDeleteYep! I've found that the best thing to do is wait, because even if they don't need it, it's still UDT! :D
ReplyDelete