#30 - Still doing well

We had another great session today. Teddy let me catch him easily, did back-ups and came forward well and learnt to stop when I put my hand up during figure 8's etc. I'm going to have to step it up a notch.

I'm nervous about tomorrow with Pol but alway looking forward to seeing Teddy do well. I hope Teddy gets in the float easily. Fingers crossed.

#29 - Eureka! Yay! We are getting somewhere

As I am having a week off work I haven't done much with Teddy over the last two days as I have been working quite late; leaving and returning from work in the dark. I was wondering how today was going to go as I walked out but I was really surprised.

Straight out into the paddock and Teddy came to me and let me halter him without running away! I couldn't believe it, Eureka! Finally he was showing some trust in me. Granted, it wasn't perfect and I can still see some apprehension in his eyes but at least he sees the halter as something he doesn't need to be so concerned about. And he knows he is going to get the best rubs and pats out of it so it must be worth his while.

As I have been told more than once that Teddy is dangerous I am determined to teach him all the safety rules I can from the get-go, so I've moved him on to the backing-up training phase. He did quite well at backing-up although it's all full instruction now, but I am working so I can just point a finger or give him a look and he will know when I want him to back up. I also tried him at one-step forward moving (only to take a step when ask, no more - no less). He also did fairly well at that too. It is only the first day so I was very happy and I am combining this training with all his other lessons depending on the day. The consistency will concentrate on the catching game and the backing up and one-step forwards.

All in all it was wonderful to see him so relaxed around the halter, totally calm and pleased to do what I asked - he was almost waiting for instruction!

When I get the opportunity I will get Steve to video the "after" phase so I can post a short before-and-after demo on Teddy's progress. Tuesday will also be interesting as Pol Blane will be assessing him.

#28 - We may have turned a corner

Teddy did very well today. I am a bit concerned that he thinks he is meant to run when I go to him, but I could be wrong. Never-the-less when he did run it was for about 5 minutes today and then he was ok (though I was doing all that power walking crouched and sideways! Ouch my poor thighs!)

Once he was beside me he got lots of pats and rubs with the halter and lead rope, scratches on the neck and kind words while letting me put the halter on over and over again when I asked.

He was a much more relaxed horse today and was actually very playful, probably more so then I have ever seen him. Very curious, gentle nibbles on my coat, playing games with his lips and giving me those big expressive eyes while following me around. He is still cheeky though but in a cute way. I really enjoyed being with him.

#27 - I will take the time it takes so it takes less time

Teddy anticipated the game today and I have refine it by reviewing what is being taught and played the predator much more effectively this time. It still took a while but slightly less time than it has done in the past. Teddy is still wearily but the fastest he got today was a trot and the last two send outs resulted in him coming straight back to me. I had some cut up carrots in my pocket so after the lesson/game he got some treats and I used the halter and lead rope (that which is doesn't like) and used it to rub over his back, bum, neck and sides (that he loved!)

I hope I venture into the paddock tomorrow and he thinks, "Here she comes with that great bum scratching thing!" instead of "Not that halter again I better run!"

But I will take the time that it takes so it takes less time in the future.

The nicest part of the whole session was I left the paddock, with Teddy following me to the gate, then I walked all the way to the gate that leads into the house and from the back gate Teddy neighed out to me. I turned back and he was waiting at the gate calling me back. I was thrilled!

I videoed day one of the catching game and I will video day seven and make a little movie of the progress.

#26 - trials and tribulations

After a day of carrots and relaxation for Teddy we did the catching game again this afternoon and it was a good 20 minutes of him trying his hardest not to comply and when he did give me both eyes I would turn away and he wouldn't follow me.

Steve was taping the whole thing and got fed up so gave up filming after this time. As soon as the video went off Teddy let me halter him. Then three more times after this but still he tested me each time.

It was a highly frustrating day that was about an hour long all up.

I hope Teddy is as tired as I am after following him around at a fast walking pace through muddy ground. He went in circles so quickly at one stage I was getting dizzy trying to keep my eyes on him. At least my thighs got a good workout.

#25 - The Catching Game is Bloody Amazing!

I got my PNH Catching Game dvd today and went straight to the instruction part (I'll watch the rest later) then went straight out into the paddock to try it after the first viewing!

I put a long lead on the halter and took it, along with my brother Bruce, out into the paddock. As soon as Teddy saw me he neighed and came straight over and I thought that was very sweet so I put out my hand to pat him. He backed up. I tossed the long lead at his arse! Woo Hoo! Did he chuck a spazz when I did that! He kicked out and ran like hell away from me through the paddock. I followed straight away and kept the pressure on him but all the time wishing I had a round yard (who needs a gym when you are chasing a horse around!) I told Bruce to wait behind to be safe. Teddy bolted around the whole paddock at full pelt for a couple of laps. I yelled out to Bruce that if Teddy got too close to hold his arms up at him and I recommended Bruce stay by the fence. He decided to stay on the inside of the fence with me.

Teddy bolted right towards him! Bruce's hands went up, he yelled "fuck me" then his gumboot got stuck in the mud and he tripped backward but regaining his balance just before falling into the mud. hehehe! I had to laugh! That would only happen to him! (and Crow if she were here!)

I kept the pressure on Teddy, going towards him making sure I was level with his withers when I could keep up or at least facing that way when I couldn't. He was running so fast he was sweating and lathering around the legs. His face was looking aways from me, his neck bulging at me but eventually he started to slow down even though I didn't, and there was less weaving about. I waited to see his near ear flick towards me and it did, then straight after he gave me one eye, and then his full face. At that very instant I turned and walked away. Teddy stopped and followed me! I looked at him from the corner of my eye and he looked puzzled. It was just like in the dvd! I walked over to him and he just stood there and put out his face for a pat. After the pat I kept walking and he walked along right by my side!

I sent him off again just to be sure - first he evaded, then the ear flick, then the eye, then both eyes and I quickly turned and walked away. He followed behind making sure his head was right at my side and held low. Teddy had caught me! I put the halter on in one attempt and he was totally fine about it.

Everything took all of 10 minutes! The first send out took about 6 minutes the second send out took not even 2 minutes. Bloody amazing!

I cant wait to do it again tomorrow!

#24 - Shapelle and Mercedes what in on the fun!

I walked into the paddock without anything in my hands and saw Teddy right up the other end of the paddock near the back fence. I decided that I would just leave him be and walk over to a tree stump near the front gate. Walking along, looking at the ground, I hear the thunder of hooves! I look up to find Teddy bolting up to me. I'm surprised but I just lean up against the stump and he comes to a screeching halt about 3 metres from me then starts prancing back and forth with his tail up in the air. I just lent back and enjoyed the display saying to him, "So who's a bloody show pony today then!" He eventually stopped some distance away and decided to eat grass - just like I wasn't there. He continued to eat and drifted a few more metres away. I watch him for a while then went for a stroll to the back of the paddock.

On my way back, for some reason Shapelle and Mercedes (our very shy cows) decided that they too wanted to hang out with me and started running to me mooing from across the paddock. I'd never seen them behave like this! Even when you have an apple for them they gingerly walk over to you to get it. But when they reached me this time they put their very wet noses on my hands to say hello. Teddy saw this and decided that he now wanted my attention as well so came straight over looking for pats. He even warned the cows to back off.

Whoever think that animals, particularly horses, dont get jealous, are kidding themselves!