Day 5

Today we went to the ranch around 12:30 and started working Disco at about 1:15. My mom had to go get some fresh alfalfa for Disco cause the tractor supply stuff is really old, dry, and dusty. When we got him out my dads horse Comanche went into the roundpen, so we let him and Disco loose in there just to see hat would happen and who would be alpha over who. Disco just wanted to eat dirt but manche wanted to play so he went up to Disco and started to nip him, Disco really didn't care at all so Comanche started to bite harder, Disco finally woke up and nipped back at him! We figured out Discos little trick, he uses his size to his advantage. He reared up so manche would then got down and went under him before he could do anything about it, the result of him doing that was that Comanche would fall over with the saddest face. Comanche: Hey shorty come play with me! Disco: Hmm nah im busy. Comanche: Ok im coming to get you (dun dun dun)! Disco: Ya ya what ever... Comanche: MOVE YOUR FEET!!! Disco: No. Comanche: :O WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! MOVE NOW!!! Disco: Make me. Comanche: Alright then I will! (EVIL FACE)ROAR!!! Disco: (Yawns) Comanche: BITE! BITE! BITE! Disco: You should not have done that! (Rears) Comanche: (Rears) Disco Oops I tricked you (swoop, duck, TAKE DOWN) Comanche: (Splat) :'C WAAA!!! LITTLE GUY BIG TEMPER! Disco: Tha bigger they are the harder they fall. Disco and Comanche: (itching each other) BFF's! So After we got Comanche out I stared my first lessons, roundpenning, yielding to get him to follow me, leading, lead beside, desensitizing to the lead rope, desensitizing to the stick and string, and desensitizing to the stick and string in front of him. He did really good on everything! Leading took a little longer because he is not as good on his right side and we had to fix that. After we desensitized him we too him back to his corral so we both could take a brake cause it was really hot out. My mom got back like 5 minutes after we finished and started working Starbuck. When she was done I started round 2 with Disco and started the rest of our lessons. He did great, including sending. So that all wen by fast. When he was done we took him back to his corral (he walked in perfect) And gave him some alfalfa for a hard days work! :) He is doing so good!
(we didn't get it on video when Comanche fell but in the video we got Disco did try)




( The number one rule of horsemanship is... "WHOEVER MOVES FIRST LOSES".
  Comanche and Disco's first time together was in the roundpen, with us standing nearby in case things escalated. Their first interaction was a combination of playful and testing, and would have been different out at pasture, and especially near feed or hay, but we prefer they have a friendly first encounter. Its important to understand the horses natural heirarchy or pecking order. There is always one alpha that controls the herd. If you have only one horse, you must be the alpha. If you want see it in person, take a bucket of feed and place it in the pasture, take quite a few steps back for your safety, watch and learn. The alpha will immediately show some level of dominance, possibly starting with as little as a slight look, then pinned ears which is the first warning, then a bite, and if that doesn't work he will turn and the hoofs start flying. The other horses must move their feet away from him, which immediately signifies submission and respect. The alpha eats first, then allows who he chooses to eat next, who then chooses who eats next etc. This ladder of respect is established daily, whether at feed, at play, or in the pasture. The term "Natural Horsemanship" actually is based on this principle. Whether you are training, handling, petting, competing, etc anytime you are in contact with a horse, you must continually establish yourself as the leader or alpha by moving the horses feet forward, backward, left and right. Once you have established this respect, your horse will transform from reactive, aggressive, dangerous or possibly just lazy, to respectful and willing.
Gene aka "Dad" )