Least Resistance Training Concepts
Project Activity Album
Knightsen's Activities
OLYMPIC WILD HORSE & BURRO PROJECT
Part Seventeen

Betty and Magic

The three horses got a nice grooming and fly sprayed.

Hue, Suzi, James and Betty took Magic, Dusty and Spirit out to the arena for some focused training over labyrinth. Dusty got a little wound up at one point, and ran back to the others. Spirit and Magic stayed quiet and Dusty settled right down. All in all, they all had a good day.

The burros also got some attention. They still lead more or less when they want to, but then again they are burros.

Linda Thomas and her husband came down mid day and joined us. She has her own mustang that she's getting started so we got her involved in a few things, including helping Dusty with his first trim.

Linda used some clicker work to keep Dusty from getting too uptight and as you can see, the trims went relatively easy.

Getting started

Starting to relax

A few minutes later on his own

Spirit was by far the most improved of the group. He focused on his work and remained calm, even when Dusty got a bit busy and galloped around the arena. Spirit has grown about an inch in the time he has been here (he now stands at 16-1) and is still figuring out his "overall dimensions," but he has been doing quite well.

That favorite spot to scratch

Spirit likes working with James

Magic is also growing. His withers stand just over 15 hands however his rump is now a good inch taller. He has a very methodical way of thinking which seems to facilitate his figuring out whatever it is we present to him.

He did quite well and by the end of the day, Eva could even back him through the labyrinth without any trouble.

Backing up for Eva

Backing into the labyrinth

Moving through the labyrinth

Nice work!

Dusty has always been the clever one but we found an element that he really had trouble with. When asked to make counter turns (the lead rope down the far side and around the rump) Dusty would bolt forward. Basically there was a spot on each hip that would prompt him to bolt when the rope touched it.

The Kickers put Dusty in the squeeze and through quiet desensitizing, Dusty got over his "hipparopeafobia."

Working on yields

Dusty: "I don't think so."

Now the counter turn

Friends again (The ultimate itchy spot)