3rd February, 2014 A Little Bit of Magic

I must admit to feeling a little queasy when any piece of equipment is described as 'magic'. We all know that it's not the equipment but the hands that use it that counts, nevertheless, sometimes a change of equipment can just ask a question in a different way. This little sequence shows a super horse that I went to see today. She has learned how (in fact she has always known) to go into-pressure whenever she feels a pressure on her poll. This instinctive behaviour has been reinforced when it has worked to delay being loaded in the trailer and also helped to produce endorphins. Accordingly when asked to load she pulls against the head collar, grows roots into the ground and plants herself. Her lower lip droops as the endorphins take effect. There's not an ounce of malice in her, she doesn't escalate her behaviour in any other way - she just stands there.

Once she's in the trailer she stands quietly and travels well and at the other end of her journey she stands patiently when the front ramp is down. It's only when she reaches the threshold of the door that she tends to rush out.

Early on in the session I put a Dually halter on her and using it subtly to ask her to move her feet, we avoided the into-pressure response from the poll and she was soon loading very easily for me and then for her owner. Not only that but the owner was able to ask the horse not to rush down the ramp and to allow her to go out of the trailer first. Important at this stage to make sure that she takes a step to the left (towards the jockey door) before turning out of the ramp which is on the right.

As has become my habit these days, we offered her clickered treats (in this case small pieces of carrot) whenever she took a step forward and occasionally when standing in the trailer. I offered one to this lovely ramp but he wasn't really interested. He preferred to have the spot behind his horns rubbed. He's a Wiltshire Horn Sheep.

"Will absolutely let you know how we get on going forward & would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone else experiencing difficulties with their horse. I have printed off the homework & will run through it later & as & when I need reminders.  & I promise to fit some practise in too (weather permitting!).  Many Thanks Again (from us both!) for your very kind, sensitive & sensible help yesterday." HU

Received 8.2.13 "Didn't like the weather yesterday so didn't hunt - too much work cleaning up after!! But had loading practise today, she did hesitate a little but not for more than 30 seconds & we went in & out (backwards) 3 x's then went off for a graze for 5mins & came back & went in & out again. She loves the click / treat bit!!"  HU