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.