We did it! Russia has had two further training sessions with the trailer since my last update, and the improvement is vast.
Taking it back to basics again, we have built a relationship on trust and he sees us as part of the herd. Spending evenings doing groundwork, building trust and developing a partnership has been a major stepping-stone in getting Russia to do what is asked of him. As always we used patience and a little bribery and managed to reduce the loading time down to ten minutes.
Sunday we hit a turning point. Russia was having nothing of coming onto the trailer and we feared we were about to take ten steps backwards. A thought was to feed him on the trailer, so leaving him with Hayley I went to prepare a tempting dinner. From the yard (150ft away) I heard what I could only describe as an almighty scream- thinking there was something wrong, I quickly raced back. Arriving back to them both, I couldn't believe the scene I was watching- Russia following Hayley with no hesitation through the trailer continuously. The scream was Hayley in great delight.
To ensure this wasn't a fluke we did the same the following day - opened the ramp and Russia this time followed me through the trailer with no hesitation. So what created this turning point? Space. When I left to make the feed Hayley sat on the ramp, wanting to be with her Russia made his way up the ramp to investigate, she moved backwards, he followed. Now when we walk up the ramp we make ourselves as small as possible, giving the illusion of a larger space in the trailer.
We have reduced Russia's loading time from over two hours to under two minutes in three weeks. How? Simple. Be patient, clam and listen in every aspect of working with your horse. He will show you the light at the end of the tunnel.
“You
feel and listen to the horse. The experience of the results of his response
helps you understand for the next time.” Tom Dorrance.
No comments:
Post a Comment