After a long afternoon helping the sheep sheerer, I was wondering where in the heck had Don gone. He went to get our two curly boys, Rascal and Rowdy (formerly Thistle and Horton) who are currently mowing the neighbor's acreage via staking out. I saw him coming with the two boys trotting along behind the fourwheeler and then he did not come around the house and did not and did not.
Once the sheerer and I got all the wool bagged, the clutter tidied up and walked down around the house I saw the problem.
Don was trying to lead the two boys by the sheerer's truck which had a sheep hauling cage on the back of it and was parked right in the middle of the drive leading up to the barn and corral! Rowdy was minding his manners and while nervous was willing to walk by the truck albight with one ear and one eye watching to be sure it did not bite his hiney! LOL
Rascal was displaying the self-sufficient streak Curlies have and refusing to get anywhere near that horse eating thing whatever it might be. Oh and it should be noted that either horse towered over the truck as it was a Chevy Luv sized thing.
I took Rowdy so Don could concentrate on Rascal. In short order Rascal was stretching his neck forward to check out the truck and then taking tentative steps towards it.
While Don paid the sheerer, I took both boys in hand. I put Rowdy on the near side which just happened to be closest to the truck and Rascal on the offside. I then worked with them until both were relaxed and Rascal was within leaning distance of the truck. And then off to the barn and a nights rest.
All of this took about 5 minutes! It just reinforced how little changes can provide training oportunities!
Oh and Denise, I need to learn how to do a farm BLOG AND I have tried to get Don to sign up for the RAC but he refuses because he might have to BLOG or log! BOYS! LOL
Anyway, Thanks to Linus and Donna for reminding me that ground work can be BLOGed and hopefully this is not too far off the RAC to cause offense. :)
PPS - Rowdy and Rascal have been sold and are here while the owners get some training (LOL) and the new owners are who renamed them!!! :(
The RAC began in 2007 and continued until 2015. It was created to unite all curly horse owners to encourage and motivate each other and to promoting the breed. Participating riders earn points to win amazing prizes. This blog was created to share with others their personal journey with each other and the public. *This blog is not a training blog and any techniques or methods shown here are not necessarily enforced by the RAC. Consult your trainer for advice. http://curlyhorsecountry.com
Ellen, this is all part of training and ground work...and VERY appropriate. =] Great job!! Dang it...too bad about Don but thanks for trying! The guys don't have to blog...but they should log. =] Oh well...good try. I was really hoping with the new logo and denim prizes they might join. In the past, I always got complaints that the logos were so "girly". LoL At least we have a few men this year again...we can ALWAYS count on Harold!
ReplyDeleteEllen, great job on the ground work! Apparently sheep hauling cages make great training tools. :0)
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