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RE: Setbacks? Going Backwards To Go Forwards? Tough Love? A Place For Force In A Loving Relationship?
She's been showing you her boundaries throughout the training. This time she ran up against one of yours. The communication you've established so far will be a good foundation to build on. This time you needed to use a 'stronger word' to get the message safely across.
Hope your rope burn is healing. Those suck.
That's a really good way of putting it @aunt-deb. In fact sometimes I wonder whether we should have shown stronger opposition earlier. It's really hard to judge. I've noticed that sometimes when we are handling her especially around food, she'll harden and on one occasion even kick out. Totally unacceptable. .. in that instance she got a yell and a plastic hair brush thrown at her rump (only thing I had in me at the time).
It wouldn't have hurt her at all but delivered what was important, an immediate counteraction. What was even more stark in that instance was she got driven away from the "herd" (the two of us and our other horse). She wanted to rejoin and finish her meal and I blocked her for 30 seconds or so. It would have felt lonely, like being in the naughty corner. That's all the time it takes to make an impression and importantly I went straight back to handling her.
Tope burn still visually evident but the pain is gone ☺ thanks so much!
Yup - immediate counter-action is vital. That way they know exactly which behavior you're objecting to. Food always adds a powerful element. Sounds like you did the right thing as I'm guessing she has acted that way since. It IS hard to judge 'how much'. My rule of thumb is to try leave room to escalate the correction if need be. You're dodging hooves, I'm dodging fangs. Both can get dangerous very quickly, so the least amount of 'force' to get the desired response is the goal. Y'all are walking that fine line very well from what I can see!
Glad to hear the burn is better!
I find a really good gauge is how they respond when "let loose". When we take her halter off she always opts to hang around us. If there was any fear or confusion she'd likely bolt off. Its a good sign when they voluntarily stay with you afterwards.
How big are the fangs you're dodging? 😲
Very good point and makes sense!
As for fangs, you'd think it would be these guys (who have never even lifted a lip at me)...
But, no. It was this little shit who nailed me in the calf. Quick lil bugger. Once he figured out I was vending machine, he turned into 'velcro puppy'. Bribes are my best line of defense. Lol!
Oh such adorable pictures! What a cute gang you have!
Thanks! Yeah, some of them are real hams! These are some of my pet-sit clients. I'm going onto their turf, hence the bribes. It works... LOL!
Ah yes on their turf probably means their rules!