Voluntary seperation

Yesterday I took Garbo just outside the gate, I grabbed a yummy weed and headed back to Maraschino (left Garbo eating with the rope over his back), and opened the gate from the washbay to the other grass area. Maraschino headed into the grass because there is not alot of grass in the track.

Garbo also slowly wandered away towards the main gate so that they were actually out of sight of each other (but both could easily get back to within sight of each other if they wanted to).

They both seemed pretty peaceful so I went and picked up poos for about 30 minutes. Then I just bought Garbo back in without nay fuss or big deal. So that went pretty well.

Today I tried it again but it was really windy today - you know how that always seems to make horses a bit more on edge. Maraschino called out a few times and then got caught up a little bit in the hose in the washbay, but he soon settled, they were apart (in and out of sight) for about an hour all up.

Coco comes up to me now at dinner time looking for his carrot. I actually saw him following me today when I was picking up poos with the wheel barrow.. I don't want to turn all predator like and just grab him -as tempting as it is!! Would love to get his halter off!

Unplanned session

Well I planned a ride up the drive today but decided to play with Garbo first because George was mowing the lawns and Garbo was not quite rideable. It wasn't bad or anything but considering I wanted to go up the drive and bareback... I decided to do some stuff on the ground.

Garbo has been cracking me up lately... he trys every trick in the book so as not to do anything. He will stand over the jump and go sideways and as soon as I laugh he comes over to me. It's really quite sweet.

So he wanted to sideways instead of everything else today so we worked on getting sideways at the end of the 22ft, and also at liberty, and with me crossing over my feet next to him as the cue.

So - at the end of the day that took an hour so I didn't ride.

Next I played with Maraschino. Still no trot on circle. We worked on driving from Zone 3 which he is unconfident with, and that improved alot. He still thinks the savvy string over him (friendly) means move though. I stopped soon after he started to look sleepy.

Day 7 seperation

I wasn't going to do Day 7 but since I missed a day between 6 and 7 I decided I should. Maraschino tried to follow us through the gate but mainly because the last two days I ahve been letting them graze a little area through a different gate from the washbay. I think he thought that's what was happening, it was about the same time of day.

He called out on the first trip so the first retreat was quite quick but the 2nd and third trip away was much longer.

I think he is ready - I am not 100% sure he won't call out a few times but I don't think he will do much more than that.

I am going to go to the forest for a 30 minute ride on Tuesday or Wednesday. The forest is only 10 minutes from here.

Wish me luck!

Day 6 Seperation thresholds

Day Six I decided to ride Garbo back and forth - bareback. So after getting him out of the track and Maraschino taking absolutely no notice (it's like he is trying to prove how brave he is), I took his cover off, and took him towards the trailer gate. Still nothing from Maraschino. I walked him up and down our little track for a short bit and still nothing so I stopped him beside the trailer and got on. Garbo then decided to climb up the topsoil bank to get the tasty weeds at the top - so I nearly slid off - it was very funny - his back legs were on the ground and his front feet about 3ft high up.

So - after that close call and lots of giggling - we set off up the drive and through the gate and down our road. Garbo was very keen to go see what was happening and to nibble on the grass up there along the way. We got past the barking dogs without them noticing us so they didn't bark - but once past they saw us and started. Garbo didn't give two hoots - I think I was more worried. Not at the barking but the fact they came charging at the fence with teeth gnarling... can give Garbo a fright - and being bareback and all.... anyway - he was fine. Soon I calmed down too.

George heard them barking and knew I had been a bit nervous about them so he wandered up to see how we were and walked back with us. At this point Garbo had seen Wilma and Jimmy - neighbours horses so he didn't want to go home - he wanted to keep going. I told him next time - that we had to go back and see how Maraschino was.

We got back and Maraschino had made one little call out that I had heard so I expected him to be by the fence but he was in Garbo's stall pretending to be very brave, he's so good.

I left it at that because we had been away a while and he was so good.

George commented on how easy it was to take Garbo up the road compared to our neighbour who used to spend half an hour trying to get her horse out of her drive way up that road, and she had a martingale, a grackle, a saddle, bridle the works - I had a lead rope and halter and was riding bareback.

I was very proud of Garbo and myself - it was the first time I have ridden him up the road, and of course bareback - the first time I have ridden him bareback off our property.

I said to George later - it's all about confidence - not just mine - but Garbo's. We had prepared by going up there inhand many times.

Day 5 Seperation

Well I went into the paddock to get Garbo and he walked up to me as did Maraschino. I haltered Garbo after a chew on the halter (by him not me), and took him into the washbay to take his cover off and put oil on his hooves. Maraschino wandered off in the opposite direction and started grazing.

After removing several ticks I took Garbo to the gate that leads to the float and Maraschino didn't even look up from the other corner of the paddock. He was closer to Coco than to us. I have noticed the last few days that Maraschino and Coco are grazing closer together than before, which is good.

So - off we went out of sight. It was about 10 minutes later Garbo blew air out his nostrils that gave the game away - we had gone right round the other side of the barn and Maraschino could see us on the other side. He looked up and then saw Garbo, so I took Garbo back to our normal retreat spot but Maraschino was not there waiting - he stayed where he was (about 40m away). He carried on grazing.

So off we set again - there was heaps of gun fire from a couple of neighbours away - goodness knows what they were shooting plus motorbikes a few paddocks away - you couldn't see them - just hear them. I took the opportunity to not just make it a grazing session for Garbo but some sideways and also some patterns round the float. I squeezed Garbo down one side between the float and the pile of topsoil with weeds on it, and I climbed onto the wheel well and drove him back and forwards, and squeeze, from there (kind of Zone 3 which moved to zone 5 and 1 depending on where he was.) Then he got to snack. I could also peek through the side float window, out the other side window and see what Maraschino was doing. It was a good 20 minutes before he even looked over - even then he just called out, so I backed Garbo up a bit so Maraschino could see his hind quarters.

It was such a successful session on all accounts I ended it there.

Tomorrow I think I will do the same but ride Garbo - I can get on by standing on the wheel well.

Day 4 Seperation

Yes, we missed a day - by the time I had done all the hay yesterday it was dark.

So today I only did about 4 trips away but apart from the first time I stayed at least 10 minutes each time. The last time was probably about 15-20 minutes. Maraschino didn't come straight to the gate when I took Garbo out this time, and he didn't stay by the fence waiting either - he would go into Garbo's yard. I heard him call out a few times, Garbo didn't answer, but each time we went back he was calm and still. All good!

I see him and Coco grazing closer to each other, and Garbo more on his own (as he likes it), and sometimes all three within 50ft of each other...nice to see.

Three more sessions and we will try a short ride out to the forest or Woodhill Sands.
I may even ride Garbo on Day 7. It's been good for him too getting used to the stupid dogs up the road, they just appear and have a really aggresive bark and growl... he jumps and then continues to eat with one eye on them so it will be interesting to see what happens when we ride.

Day three seperation

Garbo has started chewing the halter when I go to put the halter on for some reason. It's like he is trying to floss his teeth!

Looks like it yes!


So - it was about 5.30pm before we started the seperation threshold training. I'll explain the pictures as we go. This was Maraschino as I took Garbo out the gate....

We came away this far for the first one since we had made it past this yesterday.

This is what he was doing as we headed back toward him with grass in hand.

Eating the grass - doesn't look too stressed does he.

This is just outside our gate looking up the private road as we head off up there for a walk up here.

This shows how far away we were. The blue thing is the building site porta-loo.

When we got back -this is what he was doing.... it took him a couple of seconds to turn around and face us.
Walking away for our longest time yet.... check out the sky.

This time we were awy for 10 minutes because I got talking to our nice neighbour. I heard one little call out.
This is how far away we were.
But he was a happy chappy...

This is Garbo trying to make some headway on our pile of topsoil weeds.

I had a quick ride on Garbo today bareback, and he was good for mounting.

Day 2 Seperation

Day two of our 7 day programme of seperation by thresholds went really well. I did the same thing taking Garbo way a bit further each time, then for longer (as well as being longer because we were walking further each way), and walking back casually and bringing him some yummy weeds or grass. He was so calm. At one point I was away for about 8 minutes - right out of sight (we walked up the road which Garbo enjoyed). When I got back he had done one little wee call out and he was in his yard, but came right over and got his treats completely calmly. I was really impressed. He still stands by the fence and looks to see if he can see us. I also put Garbo behind the float so Maraschino couldn't see him, and then took Maraschino weeds. He was still fine. Looking but fine. He kind of looked at me like he was missing out on extra grass rather than missing Garbo. Fingers crossed.

I then took Garbo into the middle paddock and decided to teach him to stand up against the tyre while I mounted bareback. First he wouldn't stand in the right place (too far back) so I got the carrots out. He quickly changed his mind. Then I leaned on him each time waiting until his ears were forward rather than back... and gave him a carrot. Then I put one leg over and rested it on like you would the carrot stick when resting it on his back during driving from zone 3. He lifted his leg and stuck his ears back. I took my leg off and rubbed him. Then tried again - this time he didn't lift his leg so I waited for ears forward and gave him a carrot.

Then I got on... it was a bit of a wiggle.... but made it - and we had a nice bareback ride. He kept wanting to go to the gate so I just played passenger and asked to go forward even when he was up against the fence and he plodded off to the other side of the paddock!

We did some great sideways for a carrot. I tried a big trot but it was towards the gate and quite fast (therefore) and I nearly bounced off!

I made a point of getting off at the tyre (not the gate). All in all a great day.

Coco walked about 50m to me to get his carrot tonight!

Seperation thresholds

I did some work on seperating Garbo from Maraschino this afternoon. I found the Herd Bound article on the Savvy website and it said to just take them away a little way and bring them straight back - repeating or and over going a little further each time. So I took Garbo outside the gate (that leads to the trailer) and just let him nibble there for a bit - then took him a few steps away and came back again to Maraschino waiting at the fence - I picked some grass for him along the way. When I got to the fence I gave him the grass (or dandelions, yarrow flowers or what ever I could find)...

Doing this each time and adding a couple of extra steps in each time, and remaining very slow and casual no matter if he called ot or not, and still giving him the treats no matter what - turned into a game of where's my grass instead of where's Garbo.

After 20 minutes we got about 100m away (and completely out of sight). I heard Maraschino call out twice in all and even when I got back he was still looking for the grass and treats. The very last time he had gone into his stall when I got back and Garbo called out to him and he did a little call back but he was a bit introverted - either that or thinking. I showed him the ggrass I had for him and he looked, waited and then came over and ate it. So all in all a good result. I shall do it again tomorrow.

I played with Garbo with the barrels and spools and tyre. I can get his left leg and his right leg (one at a time) on the tyre - it's so high though he can hardly get it off again. I don't think he will be able to just step up there. He will need to jump... hmmmm

Garbo just wanted to chew and lick everything today - had no energy what so ever. It's all the grass I think! In the end I just sat on the barrel and he stuck his head in my lap for a pat for ages, very smoochy. Perhaps we were still making up from yesterday.

Next I played with Maraschino and our friendly game is getting better - slowly. We did some great figure 8's and started him on driving from Zone 3... he was a bit unsure about the carrot stick at first. I made him all sleepy after about 10 minutes so I just sat down on the barrel and he hung his head near me for about 10 minutes more before he licked and chewed, and then yawned.

Interesting

Had a very interesting online and liberty session today with Garbo.

We went into the middle paddock while Coco and Maraschino were grazing in the track around the outside.

Garbo was not showing alot of energy, stopping at every obstacle and scratching himself on it or biting or licking it. Pretending to be really interested in it. So he didn't have to circle.

We started circle game and soon after that Maraschino started chasing Coco round and round the track (they both need the exercise), and Garbo got all stressed. He wants to come in and crowd me when this happens and usually back end first or sideways (so he can still see where the tigers are), so I get quite assertive in driving him back out even if it means phase 4.

He got more stressed so after a while I decided sideways along a fence would be good instead of circles. That worked alot better.

I tried liberty (only because I had asked my husband to video me and of course best laid plans and all that)... it was a disaster. All he wanted to do was be back on the track. Then he saw Coco on his yard and it was tea time so he must have thought he was missing out so he galloped back to the gate (there is that energy!!)... I could not get to his head to get the halter back on, he was turning away from me and backing up so I drove him away from the gate with the carrot stick.

He circled and then game in with ears back and an evil look on his face so I drove him out again, slapping the ground with the savvy string.... this happened 5 more times before he decided to come in with his ears forward.

He still was not in tune with me enough to video so I haltered him, did some sideways and then yo yo'd him back into his yard to see if he could still do it- and he did. So we ended there.

I took him into the washbay, gave him a carrot and a big groom.

Day two Coco

Well he still stands and grazes on the very outside of the herd. Like he has been banished. Maybe he has.

I went over to see if he was ok today while picking up poos and he started to walk towards me. He stopped at the compulsory 10ft mark. I sat down and looked away. He must have stared at me for 5 whole minutes before he turned away (big step). Then I got up slowly and walked away...he came over and smelled where I had been sitting. Maybe he was looking for carrots.

Today Maraschino chased him again, this time round the track so he was not able to cut him off, and after that Coco went running to the yards and went in Garbo's.

Uh Oh. Garbo saw from the other end of the track and started cantering towards the yard (I think he thought he may have been eating)...

Coco came out and was just coming out when Garbo arrived with Maraschino hot on his heels.... and Coco went into the next stall.... Garbo followed and cornered him and boy did it sound like someone was being murdered.

Coco ran away and then Garbo started chasing and driving Maraschino... for ages.






Butter wouldn't melt!


I went to see how Coco was and he came up to me - up to about 5 feet. I went away and got some carrots and came back, sat down about 10ft away and he slowly came up one step at a time, until he could stretch his neck out for the carrot (but he couldn't quite reach) so I reached a bit further with my hand and he took it. Yay.

Human progress

Maraschino decided it was his turn to dominate, drive and chase poor Coco today. Not all day just at dusk after it stopped raining. Coco squeals like his throat is being cut it's terrible. So I rushed outside with my camera - knowing I can't really do much but let them sort it out (hopefully).

I have given him a little feed both last night and tonight, and tonight I was really pleased that he came walking up to me as I walked in the paddock with his bucket, stopping about 10ft away. I put the bucket down and left. Normally when you face him or look at him with your energy he turns his back or walks away.

I was picking up poos in there today and tried really hard to completely ignore him. I had to be careful even not to point the wheelbarrow at him.

I tried taking Garbo out this afternoon for a walk round the property but Maraschino obviously needs more time to bond with 'squirt' as George calls him, before we go too far. As soon as we were out of sight he started running round so I had to do alot of approach and retreat.

This is a typical stance after they have been having dominance challenges with each other. Coco will go and stand over by the fence and face out, peeking round if there is any movement from horses or humans. I guess it's a good sign he looks round otherwise I would think he was going introverted.

Coco

I am babysitting a new babysitter for Maraschino - Coco.

Sadly he has been abused in his short life so far (he is 7) and was tethered and chased by children and had things thrown at him - so you cannot get near him. We have left his halter on in case we need it in an emergency but I would like to get it off soon for safety reasons.

He faces out alot - apparently if you do need to catch him if you can get to his hind end he just freezes (and shakes), while you make your way to the halter... so he turns his back end to you all the time.... but does not kick (he kicks out at horses but not humans)...

Under all that though I think he is quite curious, and quite brave.

Maraschino's summer cover

This is Blue's Mark Todd summer cover. After a bath I decided it was time for Maraschino to start staying clean and out of the sun.

Before that we played heaps of Friendly game with carrot stick and savvy string. He still doesn't like it and can't tell the difference between my body being relaxed or energy up. I tried walking while swinging the CS and SS and he followed but stopped when I faced him initially. After a few more goes he followed me.

Then we tried circle game and he can do walk really well - unusual for a RB, but when I ask for trot he walks towards me and the carrot stick and string! Hmmm. Oh well we improved his confidence with the savvy string and also got a good draw.

I also tried to get him to trot with me leading him but he just stops and stares at me asking a question. He asks lots of questions.

We finished with some sideways which he got pretty quickly, just a few steps and stopped. He was looking so sleepy in our 'waiting' times that I called it a day. He did really well. Then I tied him up for a bit and then a bath, and his new cover. He was great for his bath too.

Garbo watched the whole session - I had 20 minutes spare before a photo shoot so I put Maraschino in his yard and took Garbo out to the play paddock for some figure 8's and some circles. We have trot now without breaking gait for >5 circles, and change of direction, just working on canter now. After that I took his hater off for some liberty and he followed me over the clay hill, to the tyre (which I have now filled with sand), I jumped up on top and he cantered round me. Pretty cool.

After that he trotted back to his yard and decided it was dinner time. Fair enough - it actually was!

LBI

Hows this for an LBI pose.

lol

Monday

I rode Garbo bareback today but his hooves are in sucj dire need of a trim that he was tripping over a bit (just stumbling) so I decided it was too hard for him to balance himself with me on as well so I got off, took the bareback pad off and we did some circles concentrating on purity of gait, and not stopping. I had a pocket full of carrots and added in change of direction after three nice 22ft circles one way, and then a carrot after another three the other way. Worked really well - it was really the first time he has been out on the end of the 22ft nicely and calmly and with a nice trot, while still paying attention to me.

I had to use the carrot stick and string to get him to back up before we start the circle, because he decides to start the circle before he has backed up. (shortcut).

Then we did some liberty and at first when I asked for circle he trotted off - about 50ft away, I sneaked up behind him until he looked at me then I backed up and he followed. I tried again and he circled but really close so I asked him out a bit more and he trotted away towards the gate (about 100ft away). I called him and he stopped. Remember I had carrots. He looked back and came back. I gave him a carrot and asked again for a circle. And I got it - a lovely 22ft trot circle at liberty - that really was a first!!!

We did some stick to me and we went over a jump a couple of times. It was about 2ft I guess.

So - trimmer coming tomorrow, all in all a good day.

Monday ride

After Stella had a ride on Monday I took Garbo out for a bit more of a ride. The last time we rode Garbo had his ears back and tail swishing a bit when I asked for him to go away from the tie up area. Today - I had a bum bag full of carrot pieces and I rewarded him at every barrell, clay pile, after a jump, and he was a different horse. Full of energy, asking questions, shall I canter here? canter there? It was so nice. As I said we even jumped over my little jump I have set up in the paddock. It's about a foot high! I used my saddle as I have not yet attempted canter in the bareback pad, but we still just had the halter and lead rope.

No piccies sorry.

Savvy Club DVD

I watched Issue 38 this morning and it inspired me to have a Parelli afternoon with my boys. Firstly I rasped a little off Garbo's front feet as they are so long they are cracking.

Then I set up the barrels, spools, the balls and cones. I decided to start with the little ball rather than the big green one. So while I was waiting for Garbo's hoof oil to dry I managed to get the scary blue ball onto Garbo's back! Many times in the end.... he was not overly impressed but he got better and licked and chewed a bit later. Think I will do it 7 days in a row. Then try the green ball.

Then we did some patterns, touch it, figure eight, added in some trot poles and I put the green ball between the two barrels and asked Gabo to move it out of the way- and he did - I was so amazed.

Then I took the halter off and we did some stick to me.... my trot is not as good as Garbo's - he has to wait for me. lol.

Then I thought hmmm why don't I ask for Figure 8 (which we aced after watching the dvd) at liberty - I got two complete F8's! He wandered off and ate grass then so I tagged his bum - boy did he get a fright. I wandered over and asked him to come back and he did. We met half way. Then we did some more stick to me and I led him by the mane after an apple, back into his stall.

Maraschino's turn! He is so much better at haltering now. We had a few things to work on... the fear of ropes and some driving and porcupine. He still jumped out of his skin when I swung the carrot stick rope over him, so we spent ages using the CS with teh rope hanging to scratch all the itchty places. Then we did a bit of touch it, and a couple of figure 8's and then we walked a bit round the track with me swinging the CS and SS from side to side. He was good with me facing away but facing him was a bit scary...he ran into it and the CS clunked him on the nose. He got a huge fright and reared and backed up (almost simultaneously)... I kept hold of him and gave him a cuddle - he was pleased for the cuddle.

He's such a smooch. Then he started eating grass. We did a little bit more and stopped after he showed Garbo how clever he was by yo yoing backwards into his yard.

It's a bareback pad

Maraschino got to try on Garbo's bareback pad after I rode Garbo the other day. Granted I didn't use the cinch but he was not in the slightest bit worried.

Isn't he cute!

Nice evening ride

Garbo was not too impressed about me riding him after his dinner but it was a lot cooler - we have had really hot days so it's great to be able to feed him at 4.30 and then ride at 7pm.

He tried to turn back a few times as we did follow the rail but I went to phase 3 and off we went again. We did a few transitions and a couple of 180 degree turns. It wasn't a long ride but I enjoyed it - even if Garbo wasn't completely convinced about the whole point of it!

You can see our upside down tomato plant to the left of my head!



Like my colour co-ordinated clothing!!?? It was really just my garding clothes lol.