Today was Dina's second trim since we re-trained her using clicker to ask her to accept having her feet done. Much praise once again to Toby Daniels who comes into the yard as friend not foe. They gave each other no trouble and this time owner, Sarah, was in charge of the lead rein and the treats. Accordingly I am redundant in this post!
Coincidentally it was Scooby's turn to have his feet trimmed by his farrier, Andy, who also sounds like a star. Owner Melanie reported that:
"Today was the day we tested our progress. First farrier visit since training and with no sedation at all. Scooby wouldn't come round corner at first, he planted and was sniffing as he could smell the farrier! He cautiously followed me then started flinching and moving away from Andy the farrier but Andy quietly persevered scratching his shoulder etc then I started clicking and treating as he lifted a front leg. Scooby allowed him first time of asking. He removed front shoe (he'd lost one yesterday) then trimmed and rasped both, commenting that he has really good feet with a lot of growth. He gave him a break for few mins then started back feet. Scooby was really good throughout and only snatched and moved away once with a rear foot. Andy quietly continued and he behaved well. Andy said from way he was he most definitely has had a bad experience and isn't there yet but is confident as he sees him more that he will be fine. He has suggested for time being we try him barefoot as his feet are so good and he's not being ridden. He should be fine to be ridden 2/3 times a week but should he show any signs of not coping barefoot he's happy to come and put fronts on. Andy thinks for time being Scooby having regular trims will get his confidence and less stressful for him.
I was so proud of Scooby today it surprised me when he smelt the farrier and refused to walk round corner but so happy he trusted me and moved forward. Andy was amazing so patient didn't even attempt to pick up a leg till he'd made friends, scratching his shoulder and giving him treats. Throughout Andy was talking to him reassuring him and fussing him inbetween.
Thank you so much for giving me the confidence to help scooby with his fear of farrier." MJ
We also took Sarah's other horse, Jazmine, out for a walk and a short-rein. It's not easy doing training on a track that is overgrown, rutted, still slippery with mud, and full of horseflies. Someone needs to write a book on Bushcraft for Horses.
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| What a tail! |
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| It's only Tracey |
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| All terrain Arab |
Late afternoon and time to work with Henrietta for the second time. I wanted to see whether there was any food that she particularly likes. She ate small pieces of apple and carrot from the bucket and later from my hand.
I'm not sure yet which way I am going to go with her training. One option is clicker but I am slightly wary since she may be turned back out on the Forest at a later date. However, if I try to engage her with the feather duster in anticipation of eventually touching her with it, she becomes quite lively and starts to engage in the pen equivalent of box walking and then there's no communicating with her. I compromised by asking Jack to come into her pen so that I could rub him with it with her watching. She was mildly curious and did reach out to touch it and to touch him.
