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Day 7- Saddle
pad, a new friend, and the dog

Looks easy
wearing a pad, but in reality he wasn't all that sure about it. The video
shows a lot more hesitation. He is willing, but needs lots of support.
(Support means I have to be "on" and aware and listen to his needs. Support
does not mean being in his face or hanging tight to his lead.)
My
friend Birgit got to pet him some.

Birgit
found out how LITTLE she needs to do, because Comanche is so responsive.
However, she also found him needing more precise directions than our horses
who are used to what we typically ask of them. If we are not precise, Comanche
will not know what to do..but he's mellow about it, as long as we work
on our own presentation, and don't blame him if things don't work out.
Speaking
of mellow...
I set it
up so the pad would slip off his back. I'd rather we deal with something
falling off his back now, than later with a saddle or coat. When it did,
he didn't spook. Note his hind leg stepping on it. I'm thrilled! Especially
since the other day he looked so worried about a little pad. Tori said
she'd sent him over a tarp. Well, he remembers, and isn't fazed by a mere
pad.
Then
he turned around to look at the pad, he's still mellow:
I had
noticed him glancing suspiciously at the dog before,
Lily was
welcome to hang out today. Better for Comanche to see her moving about
now, than be spooked, or defensive, later.
Who
needs crossties?!
I'm not
sure he enjoys grooming, but I think he's starting to relax about being
touched. I have a little rubber curry in my hand. He gets bothered easily.
But, with me careful, yet allowing/encouraging him to move forwards, should
he get bothered, he is standing still quite nicely. He still has a tendency
to back without being asked, so I'm encouraging the forwards.
These
pics look too good! Here's one showing where we need more work:
Here he's
not disengaging properly, he's setting up to back, instead of flowing forwards.
I suspect he's been allowed to back before when trying to disengage. I
wish I was positioned more down his body, towards his shoulder or middle.
He's trying to please me by facing me, but I haven't asked for him to face
up. |
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