I'm a very foolish person...

I've been a bit of a twat. I think I jumped in head first into the deep end. I expected too much from Shadow and now I'm paying the consequences for it!!!

Let me explain as best as I can ( and if it comes out as a totally unstructured ramble, my apologies!)

Shadow is one of those horses, whom, just like me, needs everything broken down into small, digestible chunks. Which is basically what Alexandra Kurland says about 'Shaping', rewarding when they think about things, when they move toward that behaviour etc. However, after consoling in some good friends on a clicker training forum, they've reassured me and explained how I need to go back to baby steps- I tried to do some in-hand work with Shadow yesterday and I was foolish and perhaps should of just carried on with basic behaviours- i.e anti-mugging sessions, targeting sessions and basic, primary work.

It was also suggested about the treats I use- Shad gets VERY enthusiastic about the treats, he loves them ( which is good because it's the primary reinforcer and the motivator), however, I think the problem is that he's TOO keen on the treats, which means mugging is becoming a top problem- but nevertheless, we are going to overcome this. I'm going to be ordering Alexandra Kurlands books off of Amazon and Emma Lethbridges- I reckon these will be the key ones which will help me and Shadow to unlock.

Tazzle on Equi-Click forum said to me that 'Enjoy the journey- there is no destination'. And it's true- the whole point of horses is a learning experience for us, and for them, we're constantly learning and discovering new things, not only about horses, but about ourselves. I've learnt a lot about myself since having Shad.

schools out for me- schools in for Shadow!

So, this is it. Summer has FINALLY arrived ( well it did a week ago but I'm useless at updating this often!) and so the work begins for us both ( the title is incorrect but I thought it was funny- I know it's sad)....
This is my last summer which I'll probably get freedom, because I'm sure after next years study leave, I'll need a job to pay for Shadow so not as much time. So every moment needs to be precious.

It's my 15th birthday next Tuesday ( 3rd August), so I've asked for money for books and have constructed a rather large list of books. Mum asked me earlier what I wanted to do for my Birthday and I said, not a lot- I'll go to the yard and do some bits with Shadow and then come home and read my books ( hehe!) I'm definitely one of Amazons favorite customers. Alongside books I'm planning on booking some lessons with Jill ( EE instructor) and I'd like to get a nice bridle for Shadow and get myself some new riding boots as my boots are good for mucking out and general bits, but do get a bit big for riding in!!!

So, Shadow met an umbrella for the first time on Tuesday ( 27th July) and his reaction was quite funny - he wasn't scared or freaking out, he just looked and cocked his head to the right and started to flehmen (sp?), I gradually made the umbrella bigger- clicking him each time he touched it and accepted it ( I hope that is right?) and then I managed to get it open- he took it all in his stride- he ended up holding the handle of it and walking with it at one point and he let me hold it above him and either side- so when we're out on our wanders eventually, if anyone ever does open an umbrella, he won't freak ( knowing Shadow, he'll most probably eat it!!!). Also had our best record for standing still- I got about 7 foot away from him and he stood for around 10 seconds- which is a huge step. I'm hoping as we progress this will get better.
Unfortunately, as expected and always said, we've hit the mouthy stage- I'm trying to ignore him when he pushes, but sometimes when I lead or handle him, he does try to bite, so I just push his nose away ( any other tips on dealing with this would be grateful!). But nevertheless, we're going to overcome this hurdle and he's going to make me prouder than I already am of him!

Tomorrow, I think we're going to do some standing still and perhaps try some pressure yielding- either that or I may do a bit of in-hand with the clicker- i.e walking forward and standing to the rein, but we'll see!!!

Thanks for reading!

Love Amy and Shadow. xxx

To myself

I doubt anyone else will be reading this, but I'm writing this to myself and will want to look back on this if I ever need to. 
So I really do love Shadow so much, he means the world to me at the moment and suddenly everything seems to have fallen into place, I love him a lot and I think he's so so so special. 
So we began our clicker training, and like it was said to expect, we've hit the mouthy stage, but nevertheless he's still behaving and being the good boy which I know he is and I love him a lot for being a star. 
We've pretty much mastered the backing up- today we were in the field and I thought I'd see how he'd respond, I asked for back up and we got it, he started walking backwards and I needn't touch him. This week I'm hoping to carry on pursuing our stand still task and see how long we can keep going at walking away. 
I sometimes think that I've messed up everything and I'm useless, but wanting sympathy will get me nowhere and nor will feeling sorry for myself, so I've got to bite the bullet, stand up and we're going in for it. With the saying which is probably ruling my life at the moment 
'All great achievements require time' 


I know everyone has specific goals, but all the goals are floating around in my head and I think I need to break them down into small chunks and decide which ones would be better to go for to start with. So task number one? 


- Basic ground manners- stand still, back up, move over, head down and leading without running off for the grass. 
   That goal we're doing pretty well in, he backs up well, he is beginning to stand still more and leading there has been a big big big improvement despite having the odd moment- but he will lead in without being held! 


- Riding- walk forward, stop, back up
 Okay so these ones will take a while, we're getting a school at the yard thank goodness, with rubber surfacing which will make my life a whole lot easier- because to Shad it's just like being back in the paddock with the grass, so it's not really his fault, but I do want him to understand that when I'm on him, he listens to me. Everything else we'll take as it comes, no matter how much I get upset and can't do it, I need to remember that we CAN do it and we WILL do it. 


So basically, Amy, if you're reading this and are either on a all time high or low, then read this and remember. 


All Great Achievements require TIME 

clicker fun!

I think I had a day of breakthrough today, thanks to the clicker.

Shadow has never really responded to pressure and yielded to it, he always needed a strong 'push' to get him to respond. So today, we began with 5-10 minutes of target training- he responded well to this, v.enthusiastic and seemed to latch on that click = treat, as he wasn't mouthy before or after that at all. So then I went and grabbed my schooling whip, some more treats and my camera- had to film it too look back and compare as we progress- and it clicked ( excuse the pun!!), he know will back up with the voice, a little encouragement from the whip and to begin with I lifted my feet at times, but hey- it's better than a strong push!!!! I'm really happy at such a small progress, but nevertheless a important one! Also he know stands as I walk away, which is brilliant!!! 

Tomorrow we're going to have a recap with the backing up for 10 minutes or so, then yielding sideways to pressure, by using my crop very lightly on his side to represent my leg, so fingers and toes crossed- will try and catch it on camera.

I just can't believe how brilliant clicker training is, today I felt we made a HUGE achievement!

He also has seemed to taken quite well to the hose and gotten over his fear and drank from the hose.

Videos from today, I love my little man!

www.youtube.com/watch   ( he has a fly mask on because there was some HUGE horsefly which would pee off and kept going near his eyes, and he was covered in them even when I was there, not nice!!! ) 

First Clicker Session 3/07/2010

Shadow has his first clicker training session yesterday ( 3rd July 2010), and we began with some basic target training.
I used a tail brush, with treats inhand and the clicker at the ready and we began by reaching for the target and clicking- so far so good- he seemed pretty keen and kept touching the targets, followed with the click then treat- so I'm hoping that we can progress forward.
Next session, I'd like to do some more target training and then this time I'd then like to teach 'stand'.
Hopefully ordering Shawna Karrasch's book 'Teach your Horse to do Anything!' as Amazon don't have Alexandra Kurlands book, but I've watched some of Shawna Karraschs videos and quite like what she does.
So watch this space...
Very proud of Shadow :)