This and that

Today I decided to try to get 2 horses in the trailer. I've never trailered two at a time because I've never had to, but I figured I'd better work on getting two in the trailer before I HAVE to.

The last couple times I took Gypsy to Fultonvale, I managed to squeeze her behind the divider in the trailer (before that she always had the entire trailer to herself). So that was a start. She's still not relaxed in there, but she does go willingly. I hope with a little time and experience, she'll eventually relax.

So I started by putting Gypsy behind the divider a few times, let her out, repeat, etc. Then I took her out and went to catch Indy. Then I loaded Indy in and out a few times and then got her in behind the divider as well. She's a lot better than Gypsy. She's also still not comfortable, but probably more so than Gypsy. I repeated this a few times as well.

Then I loaded Gypsy in behind the divider, closed it, then loaded Indy. I could get Indy all the way in the trailer, but wasn't able to get my hand on the door before she'd back out, despite multiple attempts. So then I unloaded them both and tried again the other way: Load Indy behind the divider (photo), then Gypsy. That worked better and I was able to shut the door. I was tempted to drive to Fultonvale and work with them both, but then decided I should probably work on the 7-games at liberty with Gypsy in the round pen instead. I can try Fultonvale maybe tomorrow or Wednesday.

So I unloaded them both, let Indy back in the pasture, then took Gypsy down to the round pen.

I started with letting her wander around (no line) and just wait until she wanted to come to me. Once she did, I started with the carrot stick and string and the friendly game, followed by porcupine. She left. Hmmmm. This isn't starting out well... last time I at least got past the porcupine and to the driving before she left! OK, get the line back on and start over. I went through all the games on line with her with the goal of trying not to use the line to restrict her. But she still kept leaving and it was always the line that brought her back. Then I started thinking, ... I wonder if it's the carrot stick? Maybe I'm being too "loud"? So I dropped the carrot stick and just used my hands to signal her. And it worked!! She didn't leave. I took the line off and did ALL SEVEN GAMES at liberty!!! WAHHOOOOO!!! I'm doin' my happy dance! Unfortunately I was alone, so of course didn't get it on tape. But I did it! That's all she needed -- she wanted me to lower my phases.

After that I put the bareback pad and bridle on her and worked on the sideways without a fence some more. We've taped this one already, but because she still fights to go forward, I wanted to see if we could get it done with a little less head-tossing and rooting into the bit. I used the carrot stick this time to help drive her sideways, and that seemed to help. She did OK, not great, but I think it was better than before.

Then I asked her to go sideways to the gate so I could open it and try it in the larger paddock. I've never been able to get her close enough to a gate to open it while mounted, but after only a couple attempts this time, she actually did it!

In the paddock I sidepassed her over a pole and some barrels to help work on preventing her forward movement, but it didn't help much, she still always wants to go forward as her first answer to any leg cues. So then she always bumps into the rein, which is followed by head-tossing and rooting. Sigh....

Attached above is the best I could do for a photo of myself riding! :-)

I keep telling myself to be patient. We'll figure it out eventually. I've certainly made other progress with her, so we'll get there with this eventually too.

Then after a few walk/trot/stop transitions, I took her out on the road for a half hour or so and then called it a day. Maybe when my kids are home I'll see if I can get a repeat of the liberty session with her, but this time on tape! :-)