The sun was shining yesterday and the ice around the hitching rail is gone, so yesterday the fillies had a kindergarten lesson. The days subject was patience and hoof handling.
Velvet was not too impressed with being separated from her buddies, and set back pulling a few times. Which is precisely why I use the equipment I do on my horses; there is nothing that can break on that halter and lead rope, and that hitching rail is buried 3 feet into the ground. Doesn't she look impressed, sticking out her tongue! She did alright with her feet though.
Sparkle was better than I figured she'd be; when the farrier came a couple of weeks ago I handled her a bit before he came and she was kicking out with one of her hinds, so she got a little tunin'. Must have a good memory, because she did really with her feet and didn't pull back at all, although she was a little apprehensive.
It's time to make new halters for the girls, they are growing out of their baby halters- the knot below her eye should be about 3 inches closer to her ear. I haven't found a good source of rope here, might have to go down to Idaho shopping soon (0h darn!)
Chickory thought she should have a turn getting out of the pen too, but by then the sun was going down and a cold breeze had come up. Beamer got hand walked, and enjoyed finding the old green grass to nibble on.
Today is team sorting, and I hope to get some photos for tomorrow's sport challenge on Sunday Stills.
8 comments:
Cute picture of Sparkle and the kitty! Looks like a nice break in the weather to work some horses. And Velvet is just beautiful, nice filly there!
It is cool you make your own rope halters. I have a random question though- I've always heard and read to never tie a horse in a rope halter (for the reason they won't break and if the horse was really in a bind, they could injure themselves.) I never trust quick release knots either, they seem to tighten up. When tied in a rope halter, what can be done to insure safety?
believe it or not wal mart has a good selection of rope halter worthy rope.
Pony Girl has some good questions.
Actually, it's probably good that Velvet pulled back now so that she learns her limits, right? I always get stressed about tying because Annie will pull back until something does break. Note to self-tie Yalla! up soon.
I love the photo of Sparkle and the Kitty. And Velvet is gorgeous- look at her big butt!!
Good questions. The reason I don't want anything to break on a baby is that it teaches them to pull until something breaks. However, when I am first teaching a baby to stand tied, I don't tie them solid and let them fight it out- I dally the rope and stay with them, letting the rope slip a little as they get accustomed to the feel of it; I also teach them to give to pressure by teaching them to lead well before I ask them to stand tied. That way, they have already learned the basic lesson of giving to pressure, and if they do pull back when tied, they quickly come forward to relieve the pressure, as Velvet did. Also, I don't leave them unattended, because there is always the possibility of a wreck. Just like children if there is a way to get in trouble, they usually find it!
And with any halter- lead rope combination, the best way to insure safety, other than proper training, is to always pack a sharp rope knife in case you have to cut a lead rope.
Shirley could you do a tutorial on making halters (again) I think you might have done one before
Shirley thanks for the clarification, it makes sense that you work with the pressure and release first. My sister has been tying her 9 month old with a bungy style tie so it has some give and take, and she's moving back really nice to the pressure now.
cute babies! Our shoers trimmed our baby for the first time a couple of months ago. we hadn't really worked much with picking up her feet, so really, they get all the credit for teaching her. there was a bit of discussion at first (little Smokey has an ATTITUDE), but in the end, after patient handling, she was lightly pickup up and holding up her feet. Now that THEY got her doing it well, I pick them up every day I halter her.
: )
- The Equestrian Vagabond
Oooh! The pic of Sparkle and the kitty nuzzling was precious!
I'm impressed that you make your own halters.
~Lisa
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