Alan is at the head of the class. We've been working very hard on our vocabulary lessons - Whoa, Back, and H'up (my word for get that cute little butt in gear). Here he is working on his Back.
We've also been working on getting used to scary and unfamiliar objects. Here is the bridge over troubled dirt. Alan has yet to step on it or walk over it, as George does, but he's a master at walking around it.
Our pony-pint-sized surcingle has arrived...
...and both boys are wearing it proudly.
I can stand next to Alan and he will walk alongside me all day. But once I get behind him, I can't seem to find the clutch to get him in gear. We're making progress each day though, and I'm sure it won't be long before I'm looking for the brake.
Great progress so far!
ReplyDeleteOkay, the decision has been made. You've convinced me to abandon the idea of goats and get burros for Two Terrier Ranch. Anything that cute and I need two of them. Just surprised to hear that a burro would be afraid of odd objects. I thought they were fearless to the point of defending their own against Mountain Lions. But I guess a plank in the dirt is REALLY scary.
ReplyDeleteCan you just barely touch his butt with a buggy whip so he associates the verbal cue?
ReplyDeleteLol, looks like you're doing so well!! Love them, they are such funny critters. Are you going to 2 up them (pulling together)? That would be SO CUTE!!!
ReplyDeleteNext thing we know, you'll be driving a Wells Fargo coach out there, I can see it now :)
What fun, congrats on what has been accomplished
ReplyDeleteGood job guys! Who said you can't teach and old burro a new trick???
ReplyDeleteHave you tried a rope halter...the ones with the knots in it for pressure points? Although I haven't tried cart training yet, I have done some parelli work with my mini donkey and mini horse and they responded so much better with the rope halters vs. the nylon 'flat' style harness.
ReplyDeleteLooks like they are having fun though!! Fun to see your great pictures and the info you provide!
Jenny
Yay - look at Alan!!
ReplyDeleteThey look like they're doing great - I love how you're taking it one step at a time so that nothing creates a negative experience for them.
Rafer Johnson is ready to roll, I think, with some beginning training, but Redford still needs some more childhood.
I'm taking notes!
Speaking as one whose dogs have not learned to answer to "come," but to "cheese!" I congratulate you!
ReplyDeleteHave you given any thought to the old "carrot-on-a-stick" trick?
Alan's ears say it all! Especially in the last picture! 'What are you doing mom? Why are you hiding behind me?'
ReplyDeleteI think it is fantastic that you are training them to work in harness - I look forward to regular progress reports :)
What fun! Those two are great and I think that once they get the hang of things, they'll be all over it.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting ... I'm enjoying these lessons.
ReplyDeleteWhat's really amazing to me is how much progress you have made with Alan in general. It wasn't that long ago that you were waving that glove around with the clicker and now look how responsive he is to being handled. I think these driving lessons will pay off in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteOh, they are such smart little fellows, I can't wait to see them hitched to a cart and taking you all over the ranch.
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting point that I'd never thought of before---we spend all our time with equines teaching them to follow us. That makes us the boss.
ReplyDeleteI'd imagine it makes no sense to them at all to walk in front of us.
If you can't get a helper-person to walk at his head with him, how about you walking at his head at first and letting him drag the reins on the ground behind. That'll help de-sensitize him to something back there, noise and "pull". When you're at his head saying Hup, you can flick his fanny lightly with the whip pointing backwards on your hip.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed you are doing this, Linda. And GOOD BOY, Alan!
ReplyDeleteI realize this is an old post, but I just found you (from Food for Founder). I use ground driving with all my young horses (I have no experience with long-ears, so it may not apply). It's the step AFTER learning to lunge--they have learned that my being behind them is a go forward cue, they know my verbal commands, and they know a tap on the butt means move. I put one lunge line on the inside, and one on the outside (I use a saddle, but your surcingle would be even better) and continue to lunge them, to desensitize them to the line just above their hocks. Then I ask them to reverse to the outside (new, on the lunge one must reverse to the inside) and go the other way. After some practice, when they reverse, I start moving in behind them, instead of staying in the middle. It's sometimes confusing, but they usually respond to the already learned verbal cues (and if necessary, the tap on the butt). We walks circles and figure 8's, and once they get it, we move into the arena and start walking around all sorts of obstacles. Then out to the pasture, then the neighborhood, then the world! When I actually get on them, they already know what the bridle means, and they've already de-spooked in the neighborhood, so the only thing new is me on top! I've never actually hitched anything (though I'd like to learn someday). Feel free to visit my blog--here's an entry about long-lining (ground-driving): http://mountaintrailmusic.blogspot.com/2009/02/step-two-long-lining.html
ReplyDeleteLove your blog (though I can't say as much about life in the desert!)