Played with a tarpaulin this morning and for the first time the saying "Cause your idea to be the horses ideas, but understand his ideas first" really hit me with the truth :) Previously I would have pushed Jazzy until she went on the tarp. Today however I understood she was scared of the noise, the look and the unpredictability of the tarp. I recognized she was inquisitive but not confident so we worked on developing curiosity by yo-yoing, in the end she was like LET me look AT IT!! Lol then without we asking or even expecting it she just walked over it. She pawed it and picked it up in her teeth, didn't even really stress about it. I had picked her as a RBE- but looking at how I have been approaching her I think I with my RBE personality and thinking I caused her to be that horsenality..... hmm food for thought :)
WOW- our relationship is getting sooooo strong already just from me changing my attitude. SOOO proud of us both :) I rode Jazzy for the first time today. I had sat on her back alot and she was happy with me up there but wasnt so keen to move. Today though she just did it. We started off the session playing touch it and squeeze game with the saddle and blue barrels. Soo much fun and she was having fun tooo!!!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Saturday 08 October 2011
Yay the sun is out!!! Jazzy has been coming along well. Had a wee vet visit a few weeks back with bacterial conjunctivitis and she was very good about having the 3 daily eye cream put in!
She is starting to look stunning and she knows it, is feeling good! This pony has so much personality, her latest trick is being caught, then while I am catching the others she runs off and chases Danny away, then plays around a bit before she will be re-caught!
Jazzy is very 'expressive' and super 'sensitive' at this stage. She seems to always be on her toes ready to flee, which gives me food for thought in respect to the way I work with her. She is what I call quiet but flighty at the same time. I expect part of this is her nature, but will still work with her and get her using the thinking side of her brain.
I have hopped up and sat on Jazzy quite a few times with no stress and we have walked around a bit with just the halter on. Before I continue with her ridden education I intend to get her ground work much better. She has not had consistent work so far in her life, so thats the plan now that the weather is fine and my studies are winding down.
She is starting to look stunning and she knows it, is feeling good! This pony has so much personality, her latest trick is being caught, then while I am catching the others she runs off and chases Danny away, then plays around a bit before she will be re-caught!
Jazzy is very 'expressive' and super 'sensitive' at this stage. She seems to always be on her toes ready to flee, which gives me food for thought in respect to the way I work with her. She is what I call quiet but flighty at the same time. I expect part of this is her nature, but will still work with her and get her using the thinking side of her brain.
I have hopped up and sat on Jazzy quite a few times with no stress and we have walked around a bit with just the halter on. Before I continue with her ridden education I intend to get her ground work much better. She has not had consistent work so far in her life, so thats the plan now that the weather is fine and my studies are winding down.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Jazzys Journey
Sunday 03 April 2011
Snazzy arrived on a big old Bedford truck. Unloaded well, we let her go in the paddock with our ponies, all she wanted to do was eat, they all settled in without a fuss. Her previous owners have handled her, but she had not been taught to catch (run up race). Handling has obviously been good as she is quite quiet when haltered.
Caught about ½ hour later, worked her around in a circle around the horses for about 10 minutes, she turned and stopped and let me walk up and put the halter on.
Doesn’t like to be approached from the side and patted on the neck so worked a bit on this, as well a leading. Right back to basics with hands springing open when she came forward, led well and tied up at hitching rail for more than an hour while we rode Queen. Has obviously been well handled as her previous owners said.
Monday 04 April 2011
Not long after we left yesterday Jazz (new name) got out of the paddock. Chrystal tried to catch her to put her back in but couldn’t.
I went out on dark after work and we worked on face up and follow suggestion to turn hindquarters and come forward. I did have the intention of catching her and putting her back in, after 45 minutes I managed to work her to gate of electric fence and drive her through.
Worked for another 15 mins loose in the paddock getting her working around me and facing up. Finished with BIG licks and chews and yawns and I had managed to pat her face a few times.
Wednesday 06 April 2011
Had 3 others standing in middle of paddock while Jordan worked one and worked Jazzy around the horses, not letting her rest by them. It didn’t take long for her to realise she would lose weight running around so faced up and came forward many times. She didn’t like me taking that extra step into her space, I kept doing it in the end without big release which seemed to set me back a step. We finished the session with her ears forward (where as previously they had been back and she was trying to psyche me out!) and sniffing noses, she was very very interested. Hopefully she will be ready for more tomorrow.
Interesting point- I had my glasses on….. took them off during our nose sniffing….seemingly she noticed the difference…?
Thursday 07 April 2011
Can see the progress today, as soon as I looked like I was going to go towards her Jazzy turned and faced up and took steps forward. She is VERY big on nose sniffing so came towards me nose right in the air sniffing, as soon as I sniffed at her she would lower it and sniff back! Very cute! She is not trying to leave at all now, stands and seems to be accepting me into her space. Worked her today with my hand out, like I was going to pat her with the back of my hand. She didn’t like this at first and snorted, but I linked it in with her prior learning of nose sniffing and then she could tolerate the new step. Finished the lesson with me rubbing her nose and muzzle with my finger. I think she secretly wants cuddles :P
Will keep working with Jazzy like this until she makes the choice to be touched and handled all over, then I feel she will be ready to have the halter on.
Friday 08 April 2011
Today Jazzy had an easy day due to me being busy with a pony I am working for a client. She didn't want to know me so much today so i got her trotting around me a bit and then when she was ready invited her in. Walked straight up to her with no dramas and we sniffed noses and worked with my hand out in front. Took all 5 ponies out of her paddock and she didn't even neigh for them!!!
Saturday 09 April
Worked today on getting her to face up and come in, which she did willingly. I get the feeling she likes our wee meetings. Again, didn't want to accept my pats, so worked instead on getting her to move her feet. She has cottoned onto the idea that not being with me is hard work so she followed me around a bit. I worked only on disengaging hindquarters and wee steps forward. getting very brave. She is pleased Shiloh (the new boy) is here as its taking the heat off her a bit, she is now second from bottom in the herds pecking order!
Wednesday 13 April
BREAK THROUGH DAY!
I had all the time in the world today, had submitted my assignment and my mind was clear. I wonder if Jazzy sensed this.... Not that I realised those times before that I may not have been as relaxed and clear minded as I thought! She let me pat all over her neck and face. I found her sweet spot and she put her head right up in the air, curled her lip and tried to groom me back! It may have been that I had left only her and Queen (good role model) in the paddock together, or the fact I had been too busy to put a concentrated effort into 'trying' to hang with her. Looking forward to more positive work like this, especially with my holidays looming :) YAY, go Jazzy!
Thursday 14 April
Walked straight up and patted her today :) Big pats for long bits of time, had the halter over my arm and whenever it touched her she would SHOOT away really fast. i would just work her round until she faced up then continue patting her again. She slowly got the hang of it! By the end of the lesson she was sniffing the halter. Really want to get her drenched, hopefully she will know this and be like ok put the halter on me! LOL. No I don't think that will happen. I have study break for 2 weeks so would imagine by the time thats up she will be drenched.... we never do know though what the ponies have planned.
Friday 15 April
Jazzy was even more relaxed with me today. Patted her all over neck and face no worries then went and got halter. Put neck strap around her neck and that startled her and she pulled away, I let her go. Then went straight into working her around until she face up and went back to her with the halter. She let me put it on easily and do it up etc. She stood tied while Jordan did desensitising with Shiloh, bit perturbed by the noise and activity, but didn't panic. Brushed all over and brushed out tail. She wasn't really keen on this but put up with it! Bit hesitant with her leading, will work on this next time. Drenched also with no dramas!
Sunday 17 April
Was the last to be caught today after being led astray by Queen and running around for a while! Felt a bit uncomfortable when I put my hands around her to do up halter, but I just held my hands still and went with her until she stopped, then she stood up and let me put the halter on no worries! Stood tied up in the WIND for a few hours. Sluggish to lead today, needs a lesson :P
Got back to the paddock and Jordan did some work desensitising her to being touched and having the rope thrown over her. Then he did some work getting to move her feet out on a circle and follow the feel of the lead rope. Handled it really well, not really a fan of being told what to do :P I Finished up with big CLAUSTROPHOBIC cuddles and rubs all over.
Wednesday 20 April
Have been too busy to get out to ponies, but had a good day with Jazzy!
Pretty good to catch, wasn't a fan of my noisy Kathmandu jacket though! ran away once, before I even tried to put halter on. Bit sluggish to lead, my theory at the time was right now I will just hold an drag and make it uncomfortable for her and she will find the comfort zone, which she started to do!
Stood tied for quite a few hours today scratching on the pole. I thought it odd so had a closer look and she has some lice! Only adult ones, maybe a last hatching from left over eggs as I think she must of had lice at her old home has she had had her mane and tail chopped and none of our guys have them. Will dose her tomorrow.
Brushed all over minus her legs, brushed out tail, she was pretty cool with it.
On the lead back to the paddock she seems to have finally understood how to do it and started to trot when she felt some pressure :) YAY smart pony!
Sunday 01 May
Well, real life has started for Jazzy now. It began with LEADING LESSONS!!!!! She didn't really care how hard you whacked her with the stick, she would still rather lead lazily!!!!! IS getting better now, at the same time she has been learning to back up with body language and respect my personal space (hula hoop). Every time she lead well I would rub her face with the stick and she would slowly try to inch right into my space. I have been working on having her relax a good stick length away from me, which she now seems to understand.
Despite all the 'nasty' stuff she is still happy to be caught and keen for cuddles :) Real pleasure to have around and I can see she has much to teach me!!!
We are fighting a lice battle at the moment- she is soo good with the asuntol spray bottle :)
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Lice defeated!!! Leading, negative! Well Jazzy sure keeps us thinking. She leads, but doesn't lead. She comes with us, but not softly and respectfully on the halter! She is one tough nut to crack. I cannot wait for some decent weather and dry ground so we can consistently work on this. We have tried combing the rope, the bum rope, leading beside.... she will do the lesson well but then as soon as you go to lead her back to her paddock its back to horrible again! On a brighter note, she has calmed down a lot, she has had all hooves trimmed and her first leg wash- all which took place with no drama! I have been continuing on with her ground work, she is doing lovely lunging circles around me while remaining soft on the halter and is slowly understanding the concept of back up and moving the hindquarters over.
She has also supported all of my weight laying over her back. She is going to be 3 this december so I would like to have her ready to go under saddle around that time!
Jazzy's plan- get her leading, moving the separate parts of her body and accepting the gear for riding :) Sooo excited!
Wednesday 13 April
BREAK THROUGH DAY!
I had all the time in the world today, had submitted my assignment and my mind was clear. I wonder if Jazzy sensed this.... Not that I realised those times before that I may not have been as relaxed and clear minded as I thought! She let me pat all over her neck and face. I found her sweet spot and she put her head right up in the air, curled her lip and tried to groom me back! It may have been that I had left only her and Queen (good role model) in the paddock together, or the fact I had been too busy to put a concentrated effort into 'trying' to hang with her. Looking forward to more positive work like this, especially with my holidays looming :) YAY, go Jazzy!
Thursday 14 April
Walked straight up and patted her today :) Big pats for long bits of time, had the halter over my arm and whenever it touched her she would SHOOT away really fast. i would just work her round until she faced up then continue patting her again. She slowly got the hang of it! By the end of the lesson she was sniffing the halter. Really want to get her drenched, hopefully she will know this and be like ok put the halter on me! LOL. No I don't think that will happen. I have study break for 2 weeks so would imagine by the time thats up she will be drenched.... we never do know though what the ponies have planned.
Friday 15 April
Jazzy was even more relaxed with me today. Patted her all over neck and face no worries then went and got halter. Put neck strap around her neck and that startled her and she pulled away, I let her go. Then went straight into working her around until she face up and went back to her with the halter. She let me put it on easily and do it up etc. She stood tied while Jordan did desensitising with Shiloh, bit perturbed by the noise and activity, but didn't panic. Brushed all over and brushed out tail. She wasn't really keen on this but put up with it! Bit hesitant with her leading, will work on this next time. Drenched also with no dramas!
Sunday 17 April
Was the last to be caught today after being led astray by Queen and running around for a while! Felt a bit uncomfortable when I put my hands around her to do up halter, but I just held my hands still and went with her until she stopped, then she stood up and let me put the halter on no worries! Stood tied up in the WIND for a few hours. Sluggish to lead today, needs a lesson :P
Got back to the paddock and Jordan did some work desensitising her to being touched and having the rope thrown over her. Then he did some work getting to move her feet out on a circle and follow the feel of the lead rope. Handled it really well, not really a fan of being told what to do :P I Finished up with big CLAUSTROPHOBIC cuddles and rubs all over.
Me and Jazzy 17th April 2011
Wednesday 20 April
Have been too busy to get out to ponies, but had a good day with Jazzy!
Pretty good to catch, wasn't a fan of my noisy Kathmandu jacket though! ran away once, before I even tried to put halter on. Bit sluggish to lead, my theory at the time was right now I will just hold an drag and make it uncomfortable for her and she will find the comfort zone, which she started to do!
Stood tied for quite a few hours today scratching on the pole. I thought it odd so had a closer look and she has some lice! Only adult ones, maybe a last hatching from left over eggs as I think she must of had lice at her old home has she had had her mane and tail chopped and none of our guys have them. Will dose her tomorrow.
Brushed all over minus her legs, brushed out tail, she was pretty cool with it.
On the lead back to the paddock she seems to have finally understood how to do it and started to trot when she felt some pressure :) YAY smart pony!
Sunday 01 May
Well, real life has started for Jazzy now. It began with LEADING LESSONS!!!!! She didn't really care how hard you whacked her with the stick, she would still rather lead lazily!!!!! IS getting better now, at the same time she has been learning to back up with body language and respect my personal space (hula hoop). Every time she lead well I would rub her face with the stick and she would slowly try to inch right into my space. I have been working on having her relax a good stick length away from me, which she now seems to understand.
Despite all the 'nasty' stuff she is still happy to be caught and keen for cuddles :) Real pleasure to have around and I can see she has much to teach me!!!
We are fighting a lice battle at the moment- she is soo good with the asuntol spray bottle :)
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Lice defeated!!! Leading, negative! Well Jazzy sure keeps us thinking. She leads, but doesn't lead. She comes with us, but not softly and respectfully on the halter! She is one tough nut to crack. I cannot wait for some decent weather and dry ground so we can consistently work on this. We have tried combing the rope, the bum rope, leading beside.... she will do the lesson well but then as soon as you go to lead her back to her paddock its back to horrible again! On a brighter note, she has calmed down a lot, she has had all hooves trimmed and her first leg wash- all which took place with no drama! I have been continuing on with her ground work, she is doing lovely lunging circles around me while remaining soft on the halter and is slowly understanding the concept of back up and moving the hindquarters over.
She has also supported all of my weight laying over her back. She is going to be 3 this december so I would like to have her ready to go under saddle around that time!
Jazzy's plan- get her leading, moving the separate parts of her body and accepting the gear for riding :) Sooo excited!
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