After the move we were interested to see how Bonitao would settle into his new surroundings. Very very well is the answer. He seems much more chilled. At Manor farm he would even be a little nervous as I approached the stable door, backing away a step or two until using approach and retreat I could coax him to the door to sniff my outstretched hand. "Have horse catch you" was always a challenge ! Now however his head is stuck over the door as he surveys his surroundings and sniffs the hand of all who pass.
The difference is not that the new yard is calm and peaceful, far from it. It is just the human energy on the yard which makes the difference. There is no atmosphere of tension, everyone is laughing and chatting. Bonitao has picked up on this and takes all the noise in his stride (more or less), and now seems interested in what is going on around him.
The first time in the indoor school was exciting however. It is very large with a beautiful surface that is harrowed every day. This has made him much more confident in his footing which has manifested itself in a noticeably more responsive horse, especially when asking for any sideways or backup moves. However on this first occasion there was the small matter of the archery practise going on outside. The guys shooting the arrows using beautifully crafted home made bows did not always hit the target. Regularly they hit the outside of the school with a loud bang. This caused Bonitao more than a little worry. I am sure that at a more traditional yard they would have been asked to stop to avoid "frightening the horses". This is not a traditional yard, but a yard where anything, including archery, goes. We just had to work Bonitao through his fears. Not too difficult to do, just give him a job. In this case lots of sideways, circling, transition changes etc. During this it was important for Ritchie and I to show no reaction to the loud bangs, easier said than done. We also only let Bonitao stop and rest when he appeared relaxed and was near the archery end of the school. This was using the familiar pattern of making the place of fright the place of safety and comfort.
Of course he spooked a lot to start with and was very nervous of the area, but we worked him through it and the result is going to be an even more dependable, shock proof, horse than we had before.
It was interesting to note that horses who have been there for a while take no notice whatsoever of these sudden bangs and thumps. So who has it right, yards who stay completely calm and quiet in case the horses get frightened, or yards with a calm human energy but where bangs, flapping bags on sticks, tarpaulins and big scary balls are the norm ? I know from which yard I would rather take a horse out on a hack into the big wide unpredictable world.
Going for a quick play with Bonitao now, then flying to Calgary again for a nice walk in the Rockies tomorrow to calm my nerves about my lesson on Bonitao with Larisa next week ! :-)
The difference is not that the new yard is calm and peaceful, far from it. It is just the human energy on the yard which makes the difference. There is no atmosphere of tension, everyone is laughing and chatting. Bonitao has picked up on this and takes all the noise in his stride (more or less), and now seems interested in what is going on around him.
The first time in the indoor school was exciting however. It is very large with a beautiful surface that is harrowed every day. This has made him much more confident in his footing which has manifested itself in a noticeably more responsive horse, especially when asking for any sideways or backup moves. However on this first occasion there was the small matter of the archery practise going on outside. The guys shooting the arrows using beautifully crafted home made bows did not always hit the target. Regularly they hit the outside of the school with a loud bang. This caused Bonitao more than a little worry. I am sure that at a more traditional yard they would have been asked to stop to avoid "frightening the horses". This is not a traditional yard, but a yard where anything, including archery, goes. We just had to work Bonitao through his fears. Not too difficult to do, just give him a job. In this case lots of sideways, circling, transition changes etc. During this it was important for Ritchie and I to show no reaction to the loud bangs, easier said than done. We also only let Bonitao stop and rest when he appeared relaxed and was near the archery end of the school. This was using the familiar pattern of making the place of fright the place of safety and comfort.
Of course he spooked a lot to start with and was very nervous of the area, but we worked him through it and the result is going to be an even more dependable, shock proof, horse than we had before.
It was interesting to note that horses who have been there for a while take no notice whatsoever of these sudden bangs and thumps. So who has it right, yards who stay completely calm and quiet in case the horses get frightened, or yards with a calm human energy but where bangs, flapping bags on sticks, tarpaulins and big scary balls are the norm ? I know from which yard I would rather take a horse out on a hack into the big wide unpredictable world.
Going for a quick play with Bonitao now, then flying to Calgary again for a nice walk in the Rockies tomorrow to calm my nerves about my lesson on Bonitao with Larisa next week ! :-)
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