Day 15: The list...

Ike is now capable of
*being approached any time of day with or without halter/lead rope/ carrot stick
* being haltered (came with an understanding)
* being led (came with an understanding)
* being tied (only doing this brief periods as he didn't exhibit a great understanding of this concept initially, will progressively increase the time span)
* being ponied or walked from a vehicle.
* standing (asking for a patient halt, so he doesn't get fidgety when he's asked to stop on a ride later on down the road)
* not grass diving, which he was doing initially!
* moves forequarters or hindquarters away from pressure or rhythmic pressure
* can be sent to the left or right
* can disengage his hind end from either left or right side
* can back
* can "smile"
* can pick up any foot he's asked with the tap of a carrot stick
* can pick up the pace of his gait with a forward send and tapping of the withers
* can touch him with unfamiliar objects all over
* can ask him to laterally flex both directions equally well.
* can make odd noises or movements beside him without him being fearful
* can ask him to lower his head
* beginning sideways game
* can walk him in traffic with him being calm

I think he's going to transition to riding really well when the time comes. For now, its just repetition and refinement. Looking to lay a solid foundation, so we can have a ton of fun safely together. :)
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Day 14: Stepped in a baby pool

We hung out, did some porcupine, drive, started sideways, got some smiles, brushed him, asked him to walk on a wooden gate on the floor and step in a baby pool which he's reluctant to do. Want him calmly entrusting me to put his feet anywhere and know he'll be safe.


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Day 13: Eating/ resting

Today I sat with Ike, Ross & Phoebe while they ate hay. (Amocean is in the original holding pen along with goats Marvin and Ivan who can walk to either area.) No pressure. Leaned/rested on Ike while he stood with a cocked rear leg. Just enjoyed some sun in the cooler morning that unfortunately come with winter territory.

Afternoon walk of about 3 miles. Ike was Introduced to a Car honk today. (Twice actually) responded perfectly. Didn't misstep in the slightest. Walked him from the passenger side while Ron drove for a little way. He did perfect. :) cleaned all 4 feet today... Took down the center section of fence dividing the two areas, so they have a much larger temporary holding pen. (We're awaiting grass to take better root)


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Day 12: YESTERDAY- didn't post- laid down

He laid down and I approached to see if he'd let me. He stayed down when I pet him, used him as a pillow for my head and straddled him while he was on the ground. I squatted down to get in a riding position but let my feet support my weight. He did perfect. Obviously comfortable with my presence. :D. Also, I had to leave to look at a horse for someone and in that time...he either cleared a 4 ft fence or walked under a Hotwire and crossed a lower one while it was off. I'm gonna check his back/ legs out to see if he has any tell-tale signs if what was done. It was too dark last night. Thankfully he just put himself in another holding pen. The rest of the property has 5' fencing. He was perfect with me coming in a new area at night and approaching him. It's funny how fearful he was the first night that was done. Glad I've done it several times since. :)


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Day 11: 1st time being ponied

Well, we've officially done it. I rode Amocean with Ike being ponied just over 3 miles. We went past Ron's work, stepped over the low rails that guard a car lot, did circles either direction, walked by fenced barking dogs, over a bridge, by a loose barking/charging dog, by highway traffic, through 2 intersections, AND he's moving his feet with a tap for the beginning of "park-out" and moving those lips for "smile". Such a clever boy. :)


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Day 10: bowing without lifting foot

Yesterday a cold front came in that had me go from a tank top and jeans to a sweater and jacket in the same day. Unfortunately today the weather was still chilly. I had grooms in McKinney, so only fed everyone and had a very short session with Ike today. On the bright side, with the last bit of carrots I had... We got a few bows without even touching a foot. He isn't folding a leg and coming down on the knee, but he's bringing his head down and back in a calm fashion. (And looking for what to do with those feet.) :). He's got the target down pretty well. (Still improving)

Going to teach him;

* give me a kiss
* give me a hug
* smile
* lay down
* stand



Those are the goals for now. The more I have him learning/ understanding... The more willing he'll be to look for what's being asked in the future. :). I won't overwhelm him with everything at once.


Picture is an online image of a trick horse (not mine) just to show what Ike is doing.


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Day 9: 4way walk

Ron with Amocean, and Ike and myself took a walk today to show Ike with Amocean as an incredibly awesome example of how a horse should handle "monsters". Ike wasn't perfect (not do I expect him to be) but he did much better with the fenced dogs and the bush lined fence today. Walked past several barking dogs at a distance and Ike received them well. Good with dumpsters even when their lids are open and dropped. Ron threw a rock at one to make a sudden sound and Ike walked right on like a seasoned little man. :). We crossed a second bridge today and walked between two lattice walls on either side of us. (No problem)


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