tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post5569386067838445552..comments2023-05-18T04:06:32.186-04:00Comments on Calm, Forward, Straight: At the barn #30 - Put one foot in front of the other....Calm, Forward, Straighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-9679883587285692722011-01-13T19:15:47.922-05:002011-01-13T19:15:47.922-05:00This post is scary and then inspiring. I don'...This post is scary and then inspiring. I don't own a trailer (yet, if ever). I don't want to think about the time and practice that it will take to over come MY fear before I even try it with my boys. Isn't that nuts? I am fine with horse vans, but trailers freak ME out so I don't think I would ever be able to convey the needed confidence to the horse. You did so great with the side-to-side-keep-feet-moving-add-gingersnaps-trick!juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-8794841811455595902011-01-13T14:15:21.927-05:002011-01-13T14:15:21.927-05:00Patience is indeed a virtue. I have to remind myse...Patience is indeed a virtue. I have to remind myself of that sometimes. Funny how they can be just fine and all of a sudden revert. Glad you got it worked through.<br /><br /><br />Gingersnaps, a horse after my own heart!Rising Rainbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04239592070775412669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-24594608012252103432011-01-13T12:41:41.760-05:002011-01-13T12:41:41.760-05:00Billie-
Definitely interested. Please email if yo...Billie-<br /><br />Definitely interested. Please email if you come across the info, thanks :)<br /><br />My instruction in trailer loading emphasized the mindset of the handler, and how that influences the horse. If we had quit before we loaded the other night, my confidence would have been shot the next try. That much I know :)Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-66858947903596821752011-01-13T12:30:31.381-05:002011-01-13T12:30:31.381-05:00Thanks for your kind words Carol. I am always enco...Thanks for your kind words Carol. I am always encouraged when I visit your blog - you and Rogo are a lovely, inspiring pair!Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-59164645274024529302011-01-13T12:24:49.377-05:002011-01-13T12:24:49.377-05:00Rachel-
Val's former owners sent a gingersnap...Rachel-<br /><br />Val's former owners sent a gingersnap supply with when I bought him. He will do (almost) anything for a gingersnap.Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-45159451311378522992011-01-13T12:22:51.306-05:002011-01-13T12:22:51.306-05:00GHM-
It was really hard to ignore the antics the ...GHM-<br /><br />It was really hard to ignore the antics the other evening - Val was pulling faces and playing the goofball card, besides refusing to enter the trailer.<br /><br /><br /> I agree that the attitude of the handler is so important. I was doing my very best to be calm and supportive, but apparently I still need to work on those qualities. :)Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-60830502144977936822011-01-13T12:19:26.725-05:002011-01-13T12:19:26.725-05:00Kate-
My (cute little) cowboy farrier taught me th...Kate-<br />My (cute little) cowboy farrier taught me that one ;)Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-69611281812350476312011-01-13T12:18:32.442-05:002011-01-13T12:18:32.442-05:00Shannon-
I'm lacking that virtue also. Becomin...Shannon-<br />I'm lacking that virtue also. Becoming a horse owner has forced me to come to terms with it - which is a good thing (I think) :)Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-56794711413856863852011-01-13T09:21:27.918-05:002011-01-13T09:21:27.918-05:00Gak. I just typed a very long comment and lost it....Gak. I just typed a very long comment and lost it. So this one is briefer - but wanted to say: there is a very wonderful method of working through trailer loading issues that doesn't involve pressure, but focuses on being in tune with the horse, listening to what he's saying, and working through the issue, whatever it might be.<br /><br />In involves teaching the horse to lead one foot at a time. It's not a 'quick fix' but a whole different mindset than the idea of "now I have to load him before we quit or he'll think he won and do this again."<br /><br />The thing is, when horses balk at the trailer it could very well be their memory of something uncomfortable or stressful during the LAST trailer ride. So by forcing them to load, we ignore their fear. Using the one foot at a time method you work through it - and imo the trust you gain by doing it this way carries over to everything else you do with the horse.<br /><br />If you're interested, let me know. I know I've written about it on my blog (and in my book) but don't have time to track it down this second. :)billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-90921878921600003482011-01-12T20:33:30.535-05:002011-01-12T20:33:30.535-05:00Both Savanah and Rogo have gone through this, afte...Both Savanah and Rogo have gone through this, after being stellar at trailering and for no apparent reason. Both returned to normal after a few rough times. Good for you for handling it so well.<br />Your last rides sound wonderful (just read about them). All your hard work, along with your great horse, is paying off. Yes, maybe there will be set backs and new horizons, but you've reached a milestone. Congratulations! Hope I'll be there soon.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-6989407577055642222011-01-12T20:16:10.281-05:002011-01-12T20:16:10.281-05:00Oh gingersnaps! Now, THAT I haven't tried.
W...Oh gingersnaps! Now, THAT I haven't tried. <br /><br />Well, as Yoda might say... "He senses much frustration in you young one." <br /><br />Probably just a slight disturbance in the Force...Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09610496342255540894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-82563303852595548362011-01-12T16:12:53.827-05:002011-01-12T16:12:53.827-05:00Good for you for having the patience and humor to ...Good for you for having the patience and humor to stick with it. I've been through this before too and the main thing is not to give in to their quirks. <br /><br />One of the things I found worked was just ignoring their antics. By not looking at them when I did the circle to the ramp and just led them up matter of factly. Of course, if they decide not to follow you could have your arms pulled out of your socket!<br /><br />Hope you have no trouble this weekend and lots of snacks/rewards on hand when he decides to be a good boy for you.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-73018137695030911952011-01-12T15:17:15.358-05:002011-01-12T15:17:15.358-05:00Good for you for managing to keep at it and get it...Good for you for managing to keep at it and get it done - that keeping the feet moving trick is so important - once the feet stop moving you've got nothing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005422562901601859.post-64524633110535771052011-01-12T15:08:21.104-05:002011-01-12T15:08:21.104-05:00Patience is a virtue. It just isn't one of mi...Patience is a virtue. It just isn't one of mine. *L*<br /><br />I sometimes wonder what goes through their brains. Why do they suddenly spook and balk at things they've seen/done a hundred times? But, as you pointed out, the why doesn't always matter, sometimes you just need the patience to get it done. Good job!A Work In Progresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com