I've had very little time for Ziggy since the Mark Rashid clinic, but yesterday I snatched half an hour and zoomed over to the paddock for some groundwork. I am trying to be firm and consistent in the groundwork and I have to say I think he can read my mind because he has been extremely good!
I put a couple of poles down in the winter paddock, which now has lots of grass in it, than did some preparatory groundwork before leading him in. He was on a 10ft lead rope so I could circle him if I wanted to, but I have never successfully before sent him over a pole at any distance from me so was honestly expecting to lead him.
The first pole he careered spookily over as normal. Learning from Rashid I ignored the failure and just asked again. The second time he trotted slowly, which was better: so I stopped and let him have one mouthful of grass.
He looked at me. The third time he walked over the pole - very rare for him. I stopped and let him have two mouthfuls of grass.
Well, things just got better and better. By the end of our 20 minute session he was walking over two poles (propped on a tyre at 90 degrees to each other, like 3 o'clock) at the end of the lead rope, in both directions, twice in succession, without me walking beside him. The final time he actually offered to do it! Even when I moved the pole he didn't spook and get silly. He was really, really focused on doing what I wanted so he could get his reward.
I can't imagine we will ever get to showjumping, as it is highly unorthodox for a showjumping horse to stop after each obstacle for a mouthful of grass, but I am very pleased with this progress. I think I need to buy some more poles!
I put a couple of poles down in the winter paddock, which now has lots of grass in it, than did some preparatory groundwork before leading him in. He was on a 10ft lead rope so I could circle him if I wanted to, but I have never successfully before sent him over a pole at any distance from me so was honestly expecting to lead him.
The first pole he careered spookily over as normal. Learning from Rashid I ignored the failure and just asked again. The second time he trotted slowly, which was better: so I stopped and let him have one mouthful of grass.
He looked at me. The third time he walked over the pole - very rare for him. I stopped and let him have two mouthfuls of grass.
Well, things just got better and better. By the end of our 20 minute session he was walking over two poles (propped on a tyre at 90 degrees to each other, like 3 o'clock) at the end of the lead rope, in both directions, twice in succession, without me walking beside him. The final time he actually offered to do it! Even when I moved the pole he didn't spook and get silly. He was really, really focused on doing what I wanted so he could get his reward.
I can't imagine we will ever get to showjumping, as it is highly unorthodox for a showjumping horse to stop after each obstacle for a mouthful of grass, but I am very pleased with this progress. I think I need to buy some more poles!