tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post2062866312338032118..comments2023-10-26T08:22:08.041-07:00Comments on Dressage Training Journal: Rogo is a bad boy tonightCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-60495815980544087252010-07-01T03:32:52.074-07:002010-07-01T03:32:52.074-07:00Thank you sooo much for taking the time to write s...Thank you sooo much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment! I really appreciate it. The incident really threw me, especially since I'm taking him to his first show and have enough other things to worry about :) You are right - he hasn't learned a bad habit from this one incident. A few days have gone by and he's fine. My teacher came and showed me how to use a chain and we've practiced so he knows the feel without it being hurtful. Your suggestion reinforces that we're on the right track. Thank you!<br />Our draft cross mare pictured at right (the black and white pinto)is half Percheron we're told. I adore her. Your horse sounds wonderful<br />but then I have a weakness for Percherons.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-80795186911916642572010-06-30T18:24:36.251-07:002010-06-30T18:24:36.251-07:00I think you’re being harsh on yourself in describi...I think you’re being harsh on yourself in describing your decision to take Rogo for a walk on the beach as stupid. Everyone who deals with horses has, at one time or another, been blindsided by an unexpected behaviour. <br /><br />Sometimes when you replay the incident in your head you can come up with the whys and the wherefores of what happened, but sometimes there seems to be no obvious cause at all. Perhaps your boy was just feeling happy. The fact that he didn’t try to evade you when you caught up with him in the patch of clover would indicate that he is not being particularly naughty or expressing that he believes he is the boss; it seems that he didn’t feel it was a big deal. By just catching him and calmly continuing with your walk back home you haven’t escalated the situation. You don’t have a behaviour pattern here; right now it is just an isolated incident. <br /><br />I think you’re right to think about prevention. It may just be as simple as stepping up your groundwork with him for awhile. You may want to try using a chain with him. I had a trainer who always got her youngsters used to having a chain over the nose, not that this would be used routinely but simply so the horses wouldn’t automatically assume that there was something worrisome about to happen. She had had many clients who only used a chain for “special” situations like trailering, vet visits or going to a show grounds. Once the horse makes that connection, the chain does not give you added control but has the opposite affect by just raising the horse’s anxiety level. Since you have a 17H youngster, the chain may be a good idea. Another option would be a rope halter or a “Be Nice” halter that uses contact with pressure points to add control.<br /><br />I have a 17H Percheron. He is elderly and in failing health now, but when I first had him he was an imposing beastie. I didn’t use a chain with him much since he is such a worry wart, but I have found that giving a sharp downward pull(s) on the lead rope was more effective at controlling him and prevented us ending up in tugs of war. Generally I’ve been able to lead him with just a leather halter and a cotton lead rope even in stressful situations.<br /><br />Rogo is lovely and I enjoy reading about your progress.<br /><br />(I am an aging chicken re-rider. I am not a trainer nor do I play one on TV so my advice is definitely not “expert”)perpetual_novicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14904224243425431333noreply@blogger.com