5-27-2008 Part 4

After she's lunged a couple times in both directions she is a lot more responsive.  She'll start to show Steve respect now that her mind is right.

 

Steve has less to worry about now that he has established dominance.  Daisy will be more likely to do what he asks of her and be a more willing partner.

Establishing dominance is key in Horse training.  Horses in their relationships with each other  fight for dominance constantly.  Literally, their every move is either trying to move another horse or being moved by a horse.

So, Daisy and Steve are off to the round coral...

"To move or be moved..."

5-27-2008 Part 3

Steve uses "Steady Pressure" to get daisy to walk-off.  He asks her to start lunging by lifting the halter rope up, making it a right angle from her nose.   He tips her nose toward him. He then uses the index finger on the opposite hand to point at her rear end.  He also looks at her hind quarters, while squinting.  (Predators squint when focusing, before they attack.)  This makes her hind-quarters nervous and she walks forward.  Following her nose around where Steve has her nose pointed...  This is called lunging.

5-27-2008 Part 2

She is much bigger than Steve so if she decides to stop walking, he doesn't have much choice!!  He has to change her actions by changing her mind. He has to "talk prey animal" to her.  He has to remind her who's the leader...

5-27-2008 Part 1

Steve takes Daisy out to the round coral.  She thinks it's a better idea to eat grass and look for weeds than work today...    

The final Reward

Steve loves horses...     and this mule so much.

She loves having her ears scratched...   And he likes to reward her for her hard work.

Using his 'Skills'

Steve is twirling the end of the halter rope toward her front legs.  (He doesn't hit or whip her.)  The movement in the rope causes impulsion in her front legs to move away.  Horses are 'prey' animals.  (The animals that get hunted.) They think differently than predators. (The hunting animals) Prey animals move away from danger.  Herd animals run, or stampede.  So, when Steve spins the rope toward her front legs, her front legs essentially tell her brain "get me out of here!"  Causing her front legs to move forward.  And, her back legs follow her!

She will be claustrophobic while the gate is in front of her and while she moves her head through it.  Once her head is through, once the gate is even with  about her shoulders she's okay.  So, Steve knows if he can get her head through he's in the clear.  Can you read her body language in this picture?  She's hesitant, moving slowly, stepping with caution.  Once her nose is through, fear sets in and she'll move a little faster.  Then, when her head and neck are through she'll start to slow down.  

Putting 'Daisy' away.

Steve moves Rusty away so he can focus on "Daisy"  

                      

Now Daisy doesn't have to worry about Rusty being there ready to push her away.  (Establishing Leadership)  Steve pushes Rusty away instead (Leadership game again!)  Now, Steve can also focus on teaching Daisy how to get back through the gate.