Groundwork

What a difference a day makes. I am now a firm believer in ‘concept lessons.’ Yesterday we started groundwork. It was cold and windy and wanted to rain in the worst way. Not the best day in the world to spend an hour in the round pen. Nevertheless he did well with gait changing, slowing and speeding up on cue. He was a little cranky about loping but I chalk that up to an unfamiliar round pen which is smaller than what he is used to. He got over it. Then we went to change direction. He just didn’t understand and nothing I was doing was helping him understand. If I tried backing up and approaching along the rail to apply pressure in the direction I wanted him to go he turned into me. If I kept going he would turn in a full circle. I put him on a lunge line but he acted like he’d never been on one before (he has). We were both getting really frustrated and no one was around to offer advice. So I figured if he wanted to spend all his time yielding his hindquarters that’s what we’d do. I kept moving toward his hindquarters and he kept turning to face me. Well, Clinton Anderson says two eyes are better than two heels and I certainly had two eyes on me all the time. We circled all over the round pen this way. If nothing else it was quality time although having a 1400lb puppy in your back pocket is a bit disconcerting. We need to work on personal space. After that we visited the barn for a good brushing and feet cleaning. Still trying to get him into the wash rack. I was able to back him in but once he saw what I’d done he wouldn’t do it again. A work in progress….

Today dear Whisper remembers (or figured out) that he is supposed to face me then turn when I back up and point. He’s not great at it, he prefers one direction over the other and while he will consistently (pretty much)turn in and change direction going one way he turns into the fence to head the other direction. He is incredibly sensitive to body language and my position in relation to his drive line. If I don’t stay about even or behind his hind quarters he will stop and look at me. When he turns in he is just as apt to keep turning until he faces the direction he was originally headed but a step and a glare at his hindquarters and he will readjust his position to face me. It’s a good start. We also worked on flexing and desensitizing to the stick & string and that scary 14’ lead. He did very well with both although when I first started the flexing he wanted to put his head on my shoulder. He really is a sweet boy but that’s not quite right. He got it in the end. All in all I think we both got the concept lesson yesterday.

He enjoyed his grooming today and was better about his feet. He knows what’s expected but doesn’t feel completely comfortable yet. Tomorrow in addition to groundwork I am going to do something about his mane and tail. He may like them windblown and tangled but I want to see them silky and flowing.