The idea of creating yet another blog is likely a pretty crazy one. Still, I'd like to document my work with our miniature horses this year. So, we'll give it a try and see how it goes. The worst that can happen is that it doesn't work and I'll scrap the whole idea of documenting our training in this fashion.
One key to the training I have planned, I believe, is to keep is simple! Start from A and work through to Z as methodically as possible. My personality is such that I really want to skip A-M! Obviously, that leads to loads of frustration not to mention little or no progress.
As I train my girls, I'll be learning. I've never trained a horse before. Heck, before April 2009, I never owned a horse before. I will be seeking help in various forms including some formal work with a friend. More than anything, I must put in the hours and the effort. I must make the time to do it. As I mentioned on my main blog, I need to retrain my brain. One area that will be getting retrained is the area that convinces me that I really should just sit back and relax more...I deserve it! No matter how much work has or hasn't been accomplished. I won't succeed at any of our training goals if I don't go out and actually train and work with the horses!
Over the course of the next week, I will write about each horse and the goals I have for them. I'm starting with Cha Cha.
Cha Cha will be 14 this year. She was the 2nd horse we brought home. She is what is known as a "hard keeper" in the horse world. This means, that unlike most other miniatures, keeping weight on this horse takes considerable effort and thought. I feed her far more than any of our other horses. She has the opportunity twice a day to eat pure alfalfa hay without being bothered by the others. She gets a weight supplement and an ulcer prevention supplement everyday. These measures have finally done the trick in her keeping a decent weight. She'll never be pudgy like say, Izzy. I just like that she doesn't look like she's being neglected anymore!
Personality wise, Cha Cha is also atypical when it comes to being a miniature. Most miniatures tend to be very social, curious and will be all over you if you let them. Cha Cha has always had a "hands off" attitude. She's not easy to catch. Once caught, she behaves beautifully. She would prefer not be bothered with though.
The problem is, there are many times when I really need to bother her for her own good. It is more than frustrating to need to put a blanket on her (as we will in the coming days as our temps are forecasted to drop and stay there) only to have to chase her for a long time and finally resort to trapping her in stall.
This lead me to determine that for my goals for Cha Cha in 2012, the #1 goal is to get her to NOT walk away from me no matter what I have in mind. And there's no time like the present. Unlike the other horses, Cha Cha is the only horse I will be routinely giving treats to. She really likes her treats.
Our process for feeding is to separate her from the rest in the dry lot so she can eat undisturbed by the others. Also, we've learned she will refuse to eat if we stall her. Being loose in the dry lot is where she is happiest and will eat the best. After a couple of hours, someone will go out and pick up her bucket (which is hopefully empty!) and open the gate between the barn area and the dry lot, allowing the rest to come into the dry lot and finish up any hay that's left.
Today, I went out with about 6 small treats in my pocket. I went into the dry lot and approached her. As per usual, she stepped away. I kept walking a little closer until she saw that I had a treat for her. Once she realized this, she started paying attention. "Giving me two eyes" in Down Under Horsemanship training jargon (DUH is a training program developed by Clinton Anderson). I'm a fan of CA and his training methods.
Once I had her attention and she realized what I was offering, I took the opportunity to move closer. She still wasn't sure about this, so she stepped off a foot or two. I got her attention again, showing her the treat. It wasn't long before she was stretching her neck and head out to get a closer look at what I was offering. It was a bit amusing how firmly her feet were planted and how far she was stretching herself.
I reached in just enough to let her get a whiff of the treat. Then I pulled back a bit. The idea was to make HER step to ME which, finally, she did. At the point she got the treat. I backed off about 3 feet and offered her another treat in my hand. Each time, after finishing the previous treat, she would step toward me and take the treat. After I finished off the 5-6 treats I had brought out, I picked up her bucket and walked away. We were done for this session.
This work will definitely be a slow go. Cha Cha's reserved nature and desire to be left alone is very deeply ingrained for her. For me, this will be a great lesson in patience and remaining calm. One of my favorite Clinton Anderson quotes is this: "Frustration starts where knowledge ends." I have to ensure my knowledge is such that my frustration with the slow progress with Cha Cha remains under control.
