Ring in the New Year...

Finally a day above five degrees...the start of the year was brisk!  Today I set up some obstacles for Sarah to negotiate.  They included a bridge, an 8 foot box, a lope pole and a walk-over.  The bridge presented no problems.  Sarah has enjoyed the bridge since the day she was introduced to it.  When she first encountered the bridge a few months ago, all she wanted to do was paw at it.  I had lead her onto it, and she continued to paw at it.  Then, I came up with an idea that would make the bridge seem worthwhile to Sarah.  Suppose that we "displayed" Sarah by asking her to square up in halter pose on top of the bridge?  It would be as if she was on a "pedestal", or on a "catwalk", upon which to be loved and admired by all.  Well, you guessed it, this worked.  I squared her up, she was "slightly above" all around her; she perked her ears, and gave the available audience "the look".  Everyone clapped and cheered.  All hail to the beautiful Sarah!  Ever since, she has simply loved the bridge.  Next, the walk-over.  Today this was set up with 24" between each pole. No problems.  Most of the time she was placing her feet squarely between each pole.  The lope-over was next.  We had to work some on this.  Today she was on the lazy side, so today, she tended to want to break into a trot before the pole and take it at a trot.  No.  Do over.  Adding a little leg as a cue upon the approach worked to avoid this problem, but then, she was lazy about using her feet correctly.  A few repetitions of the obstacle cleaned this up nicely.  Last of all, the box.  First, practice trotting over.  No problems.  Then, trotting into the box and stopping.  We practiced this move a few times for accuracy.  A sloppy execution results in hitting a pole, usually with a front hoof.  Finally, side-passing both ways with turns on the haunches around the corners of the box.  Again, practicing this a few times cleaned it up.  After everything was covered, Sarah received her usual weekly "manicure" (hoof dressing) and "beauty treatment" (oil for her tail).  This plus another helping of alfalfa cubes and the last of the giant carrots made for a very happy girl!