As I could have predicted, day 2 started off cold enough that training would be more than a bit difficult to manage. Still, I spent 10 minutes working with Cha Cha. Every bit counts, right?
Obviously, I need to figure out how to not lose momentum even if getting out and working with a horse isn't likely to happen. What I plan to do on days like today is spend my "training time" reading and researching and planning. In other words, training my brain!
I'll be working on a schedule and goal list for each horse this week. I'm trying to determine how detailed I should be or whether I should keep things fairly broad and open ended. I'm leaning toward the latter.
With that in mind, let's talk about another horse: Izzy.
Izzy was our first miniature horse that we brought home in April 2009. She has taught *us* a lot since then. Izzy stands about 33" and is our heaviest horse having weighed in last July at a whopping 300lbs. Compared to Ethel who is easily 3" taller at 250lbs. Yes, Izzy's training will be geared to helping her lose some weight along the way. I expect that will be a natural byproduct of the work we will do this year as we get her pulling a cart.
And that, is the #1 goal for Izzy. I want to be buzzing up and down the streets of Pylesville next fall behind my chocolate beauty. Possibly participating in some classes at our MDMHA shows in 2013?
The first steps will be to reinforce the ground work we've done to this point. Getting her to walk, trot, stop and back on command is the first level. This will be done both at my side and on a lunge line. That will be followed by the re-introduction of a surcingle. This is Izzy with the surcingle on for the very first time in the fall of 2010:
She was utterly unphased but this new contraption. When we put this on again, we will also add some training leadlines with a bridle and bit. That's when the fun should really start!
