Today we had a breakthrough moment, the session started with Benny going backwards through 2 poles. Then backwards with the pole between his feet, he kept offering sideways so we did a bit of that too. He was excellent at away and towards me sideways so definitely remembered our last session.
We tried the squeeze over the barrels next but he wouldn’t jump them – may be he had frightened himself last time so I made a gap between the barrels and walked him over – turned with a look and walked him back. Did this 3 times and rewarded the tries.
Whilst the barrels were out Benny did nice sideways over the barrel even if he didn’t go quite straight and was waving a leg around wondering where to put it, he sorted himself out.
Then I thought why not try some liberty – so let him loose and breathed out to get him to trot round me, didn’t quite go according to plan but he did trot round the arena from my breathing. He stopped and turned to face me when I took a deep breath and relaxed when I relaxed with a sigh. Then on the some stick by me and backwards – when I walked backwards. Did have to direct on the first go but then it was no problem.
Then the breakthrough moment came when I decided to try him with the handheld trimmers I just bought. I had treats in my hand as well as the trimmer – he was a little apprehensive at first but his stomach won. After he let me move the trimmer over his neck I switched it on – again with a treat in hand – he took the treat with the trimmer next to it. I then kept the trimmers on and moved them too his neck – trimmed off some of the long hairs on his neck. Benny was very relaxed and just stood and let me trim his neck and face. All this at liberty – he made no attempt to leave, I am so pleased with him. Well done Benny.
Positive Horsemanship. 