Im so happy..... First day training Shilo the 'sweet spot', I have had 2 successful join ups a few days ago so now I'm advancing in the program.
I have ordered my Dually halter from the Monty trainer here in Denmark, but until it comes I'm using my rope halter, and it's working really well, though I must say that when I try to pick up speed Shilo lags behind a little, I will continue until I get the perfect sweet spot, I used about 1 and 1/2 hours today and I think that's enough, I ended also on a good note by walking at a gentle pace with Shilos nose at my shoulder, stopping and backing up with Shilo's nose 'glued' to my shoulder...he's such a good boy and I really think he's enjoying this training.
I have also got him to stand still for 30 secs, a number of times and picked his feet up with no problems.
Can't wait to get my Dually halter and see if it makes a difference!
From Dionne in Denmark.
← back
Horse Behavior and Training
Sweet spot - Day 1.
Rewards
Subscribe to Equus Online University and become a part of Monty's worldwide mission to leave the world a better place for horses and for people too.
Students automatically gain access to special rewards, such as exclusive discounts at the Monty Roberts Online Shop. Visit Monty Roberts Online Shop.
Congrats !
.
You'll see when you get your Dually, it's impressive how fast they learn to work with it !
.
Did you do the whole session about the sweet spot ? I wish my horse was as focused as yours, I consider it a victory when I can get her to stay focused for 20 minutes and here you are with a whole hours !! Wow ;)
.
I also had trouble with picking up speed with my filly until recently. Are you encouraging her with your voice/clucking ? That can help the horse understand you want more intensity. Calling her name to warn her also helped me with mine, rather than just taking off on the first tries.
.
Hope it'll help, can't wait to hear from you when you get the dually !
Yes, i did the whole lesson.
Yes, i Think that im really lucky With Shilo, he is så focused , but When i Can see him looking away and that his attention is not 100 percent, then i do something i know he Will succed With so that we always end on a positive note.
I have written her to the forum about the amount of time other People train as i Think maybe im over doing it. But Shilo seems so 'into it' that the time just flys by.
I dont have a watch, and i dont take my telephone With me When we train, so quite honestly i just take the training time from Shilo .
You'll find if you lean your body slightly forward when you ask for more speed they will start to copy you, if you take it up to trot nod your head down to the ground once then lean forwards and start to trot yourself. The combination of the nod down and the forward motion will ask your horse to trot with you.
Remember do not look back at your horse this tells them to stop.
Mel
x
EXCELLENT SUGGESTIONS Mel That`s right-on. Dionne, whatever your doing regarding the focal time that your horse is giving you with your lessons, please don`t change a thing. That is just awesome. Good for you girl. Regarding the time element of each lesson, I would read the horse. If he continues to enjoy himself while giving his focal attention, why not. I believe that this will ultimately take care of itself, because there will be days when he learns new things and needs time to soak away from the training.. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, Bud USA
I have an excellent example of what I mean about time with Shilo from today:-
My Dually halter has not arrived in the post today so I took Shilo out of the paddock at 1140 am, I groomed him and saddled him up and put his bit less bridle ( with side pull ) on.
Then we trained sweet spot whilst always walking forwards, because my intention was to take him for a walk in the nearby woods. I backed him a few times and there is no problem there.
So, we walked passed a neighbors house where previously Shilo got a BIG shock over a dog who suddenly barked, Shilo I could see began to raise his head as we got closer and then he stopped because the dogs came again and started barking. We walked by and then turned and walked by again , and again, and again, after four passes Shilo was as cool as a cucumber.
Then we walked into the woods, he was relaxed but still aware, on the way home a man walked towards us and as he passed Shilo jumped to the side, I just continued walking as if nothing had happened because I'm not making a big deal about these things, so I'm hoping that he will eventually realize that I'm not frightened so he shouldn't be either. I don't know if that is right or wrong, but it's just the way I do it.
As we approached our farm Shilo quickened his pace so sweet spot helped in this case, after a couple of corrections he stayed in place.
After I had taken his saddle etc off I normally will then pick his feet.
I was thinking all the time ' ok, a lot has happened and Shilo has a lot to think about, so let's just see how long I can keep his focus" after I picked 3 feet he then told me ' enough', he walked a couple of steps away from me and played with his saddle underlay.
I backed him up, finished his feet and only then did I walk him into the paddock to his friends.
The time at this point was 13.30.
So just under 2 hours did I have his attention.
I thought that it was important to finish his feet, because I don't want him to think that he decides, however I didn't ask anything else of him ( other than the last hoof).i didn't put his paddock halter on him, because when he is 'free' then he is really ' free'. I don't have problems getting hold of him in the paddock, so with just a lead rope around his neck he followed me into the paddock - sweet spot, and when I realeased him, he just stood with me and then we were joined by my other 2 small ponies.
I praise him quite a bit with my voice and stroke/ pat his neck throughout our 2 hour session, and I just ignore if he gets spooky- again,I don't know if that's the right way to do things, but I'm eager to learn if someone thinks my way of approaching/ dealing with Shilo is wrong.
Ps- I sing to him also on our trips, he likes Bruce Springsteen songs!!
Thank you Mel from UK for that advice, I will try that tomorrow on our walk.
HELLO DIONNE, you`ve got it going girl, keep up the excellent work. The companion walking Is super and especially out of his farm area.. I find that when horses get out into open space, they tend take on a different look and feel.. It`s more natural for them and you will probably get a more authentic reaction should they come upon a new experience that they have to deal with. Your question was about time. How long? Too long? ETC--for these lessons. I believe that what you are doing with Shilo in the open spaces is totally different from say a round pen exercise....A major league-part of horse training is being able to read your horse and you certainly seem to be doing that. I seem to think that your horse is extremely happy with what you are doing. If that is the case, then don`t change a thing. He is giving you everything. All you have to do is smile and sing to him more. VERY COOL Bud USA
You are doing great Dionne, keep doing what you are doing :-)
Well done Dionne, love the little bit when you let him go in the paddock, what was his choice to join his friends, or stay with you ;)
'he just stood with me' Beautiful!
Mel
x
Hello Mel from Ramsgate UK.
I tried your tip with nodding my head down and leaning into the trot.......and it works like a miracle, now I have sweet spot 100 p.c down, just like Monty and in fact it's really fun, I can see in Shilo that he also thinks it's funny to try and keep up with me! And anticipate my next move which he is expert at- he read me like a book-
PLUS ....I GOT MY DUALLY HALTER ........AND IT REALLY REALLY WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So thanks so much for the great tip.
And thanks everyone for your supportive comments!,
Wonderful news Dionne!