Day 26: Fixing Ike's idea that the cue for smile means rear.

Today was chilly outside, but the sun was shining and I'm grateful for that.  I said hello to everyone before haltering Ike and asking him to stand.  I took a few steps away and backed him up if he took any steps from his place.  When he stood still with me a couple of steps away, I led him, stopped, backed, and then put two long lines attached to either side of his halter (yacht rope leads) behind him and clucked asking him to  walk on.  I steered him to the left and the right, and asked him to whoa. ( I back him up if he moves out past where I ask him to whoa)  He's not super clean in his movement yet, but for being brand new, he's doing great.  After doing that about 7-10 minutes, I faced him and asked him to smile.  He responded by lifting his head in the air and I held my finger up because I wanted him to lift his lip.  This is the second day he actually raised both front feet up in the air in a little rear.  I quickly backed him up and asked again and if he didn't lift his lip but held his head in the air.. I knew what could easily follow so I backed him before he came off his front feet.  By the end of our session, I could back up or have him back up and ask for him to expose teeth without coming off his front feet or moving closer.  I did use a pocket full of grain JUST for rewarding the smile. I didn't use grain for anything else.  He gave all four feet when tied again today.  I much prefer warmer weather to be outside in.  Anyhow, I'll play with him again later.  :)
In looking for natural training steps, I came across this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQUMAJCh1fA&feature=related
I found it inspiring even though I'm already for natural horsemanship and bitless riding.  After nearly completing it, I decided I wanted to do even more work at liberty. Much of my time is already spent with them being asked to do things without halter and lead rope.  I will spend more time not asking for anything and simply enjoying the amazing animals that they are. At the same time, I recognize that I have to repeat things for them to gain a better understanding of whats being asked and to make progress.  I went out and danced in the paddock, really I just swirled around and replicated the dancing in the video because it felt good to watch and good to do.  It was funny how weirded out Ike was, but the movement never scared him and he was in my space fairly quickly doing the dance I happily led.  Amocean came over too, curious what was going on.  They're both incredible horses. I spent some time asking Ike to bow, stretch, offer his feet, touch the ball we got (we use an exercise ball in place of the large parelli ball), smile, step up, squeeze, and step sideways away on both sides.   Ron helped me hang 2 pieces of tarp in a tree for me to desensitize him to walking through that too. :)  awesome! The more he's comfortable with, the better off I'll be when I have the privilege of riding him.

Ike's 1st pass through hung tarp:



Quiet down little man. :)


That's better.