Emergency catching job today that had resolved itself before I got there. Poppy, a Warmblood cross New Forest, has recently changed homes and decided that she would no longer be caught. She is another three and a half year old horse in a five year old suit, lacking in experience. Her new owner didn't realise that she hadn't had a rug on before and suspects that's what set her back. Beyond that I sensed some ambivalence about the headcollar itself. Poppy has a fine line in shaking her nose to dislodge the headcollar as it goes on and as it comes off. So we spent the hour 'seducing' her face and teaching her a bit of clicker training so that the whole thing became a lot easier. By the end of the session she was following Elle about asking for the headcollar to go on.
 |
| Using a scarf to touch her... |
 |
| ...and encircle her head like a head collar. Moo, Elle's other pony spent the whole time offering to be caught! |
 |
| There's still some ambivalence, note the head position |
 |
| Headcollar on..and then off and on lots of times. |
 |
| Note the tightness of the bottom jaw which was couple with a running foot |
 |
| Looking much more relaxed...but the bottom jaw is still tense. |
 |
| Reducing ear shyness and helping relaxation by rotating the ear in each direction. |
