|
8-30-01
Janet worked by herself today. Here is her report.
The night was cool due to a nice thunder storm
blowing through so couldn't think of a better way to spend
an evening than with horses.
First I started with Moose. We worked on approaching
without having to have anything on him (ie. sliding neck
loop or pole). It took a little while for him to understand
and I had to settle for approaching his left shoulder rather
than his face. But we were able to build on that. After
about a half hour I was able to approach his face and just
cuddle it in both hands. Another 10 minutes and I was able
to get a halter on easily without any restraint. He was
just so cute. He would actually almost hold his breath
until I would get right up and start petting his face and
then he would let out a big sigh and do some licking and
chewing. Then we worked on leading for a little while.
After about 15 minutes he would walk across the pen with me
on a loose lead. We also worked on brushing, which he
seemed to enjoy and I was able to brush from head to butt on
both sides. Then I worked with the feet for a little
while. I was able to lift both front feet for several
seconds at a time. At that I called it good and exited his
pen. He actually tried to follow me for several steps as
well. Which was very cool. His eyes are softening and he
is starting to understand that I can be trusted.
I next stepped into Yogi's pen for just a few minutes. I
was able to approach and just touch the tip of his out
stretched nose so I called that good. I probably could have
gone further but since that was my first touch with Yogi I
didn't want to push it.
So on to Frosty's pen I went. This guy is the biggest
cuddle bug it is just to funny. I was able to walk right up
and put a halter on him. I pulled out the curry comb right
away and you would have thought he had died and gone to
heaven by the expression on his face when I found the little
crease between his left shoulder and neck. He stretched out
his neck and head and wiggled his lips. If I would stop and
move away he would follow me around the pen until I would
stop and curry some more. I was able to curry all over his
body on both sides but he kept moving into position so I
would keep coming back to that left shoulder. He will pick
up each front foot by simply tapping on the appropriate leg
and saying "foot" and hold it there until you reach up and
hold it and then let it go. Next I opened up the gate and
headed into the round pen with him. He went out much easier
this time than his first time and we made 3 slow laps around
the round pen each direction. I let him graze on a few
weeds that were growing on the edges of the pen and we
headed back to his pen. He walked right in. I turned
around to close the gate and he followed me so out we went
again. This time with no hesitation. We did another 2 laps
each direction and went back to his stall. Of course he
just begged to be curried on the left shoulder again so I
did just to tell him how good he was.
I then went about feeding and watering everyone. I got Yogi
to take food twice out of my hand for the first time since
we have gotten him. Cliff has done a wonderful job with him
and he is really starting to settle in. He sure is a
beautiful boy.
| 
