Well Rory had an exciting and educational week (I saved this post for today so I could include any weekend events).
On Thursday I took both Rory and my QH for a walk (one in each hand) to get my QH used to the idea that he needs to tolerate the small and ill-mannered again. He was dragging behind a bit and Rory pulling ahead, but there wasn't much in the way of pinned ears (good). After a tour round the barnyard and wander down the hill we started back up. The horses in the paddocks were getting worked up and came running to see what all the fuss was about (the other yearling - TOY - was whinnying for Rory). I had my attention on getting my QH to walk up a little more beside me when Rory made a break for it. I dropped my QH's lead and tried to stop Rory, but he'd gotten too much of a head start and I had to let go. This time there were two horses and people blocking his route back to his paddock and they managed to catch him when he slowed down to try and find a way past. Ha! I collected my QH (who had just stood there waiting for me), then Rory and took both back down the hill. I worked on getting Rory's attention and keeping him listening to me, working back and forth with quick changes of direction any time Rory pushed ahead or let his attention wander. My QH quietly followed me back and forth on a largely loose lead wondering why I couldn't make up my mind where we were going. Eventually we reached Rory's gate where I dropped my QH once more and worked Rory around a little more before putting him back out. My QH stood still until I picked his lead up again (GOOD boy!).
Rory will get there... eventually.
On Saturday a friend came to see the boys and I showed her Rory's trot, leading him up and down the track. Rory was absolutely perfectly behaved. He stood and got admired and patted. He stayed with me when I jogged, and even when I ran fast he didn't try to pull ahead, drag behind, canter, or go in the direction of his field. He just showed off that Rotspon trot. Maybe Thursday's lesson sank in a little.
The boys are integrating into the herd quite well now. I found both babies tucked into an outside corner of the shelter with all the other horses on Saturday. TOY still calls to his mum at times. Rory seems to be getting a bit bored with that. I saw TOY up calling mum alone on Sunday while Rory was down in the far corner of the field grazing with the rest of the herd. Even when they're both with the herd they aren't always attached at the hip any more.
On Thursday I took both Rory and my QH for a walk (one in each hand) to get my QH used to the idea that he needs to tolerate the small and ill-mannered again. He was dragging behind a bit and Rory pulling ahead, but there wasn't much in the way of pinned ears (good). After a tour round the barnyard and wander down the hill we started back up. The horses in the paddocks were getting worked up and came running to see what all the fuss was about (the other yearling - TOY - was whinnying for Rory). I had my attention on getting my QH to walk up a little more beside me when Rory made a break for it. I dropped my QH's lead and tried to stop Rory, but he'd gotten too much of a head start and I had to let go. This time there were two horses and people blocking his route back to his paddock and they managed to catch him when he slowed down to try and find a way past. Ha! I collected my QH (who had just stood there waiting for me), then Rory and took both back down the hill. I worked on getting Rory's attention and keeping him listening to me, working back and forth with quick changes of direction any time Rory pushed ahead or let his attention wander. My QH quietly followed me back and forth on a largely loose lead wondering why I couldn't make up my mind where we were going. Eventually we reached Rory's gate where I dropped my QH once more and worked Rory around a little more before putting him back out. My QH stood still until I picked his lead up again (GOOD boy!).
Rory will get there... eventually.
On Saturday a friend came to see the boys and I showed her Rory's trot, leading him up and down the track. Rory was absolutely perfectly behaved. He stood and got admired and patted. He stayed with me when I jogged, and even when I ran fast he didn't try to pull ahead, drag behind, canter, or go in the direction of his field. He just showed off that Rotspon trot. Maybe Thursday's lesson sank in a little.
The boys are integrating into the herd quite well now. I found both babies tucked into an outside corner of the shelter with all the other horses on Saturday. TOY still calls to his mum at times. Rory seems to be getting a bit bored with that. I saw TOY up calling mum alone on Sunday while Rory was down in the far corner of the field grazing with the rest of the herd. Even when they're both with the herd they aren't always attached at the hip any more.
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