Each of the two videos I'm going to share have explainations on their youtube page saying why I'm doing this and the reasons. I was hesitant to post about this because I know we have ALOT of natural horsemanship types in here, myself included to an extent.
I've tried numerous times to get Eve to JoinUp with me in a round pen but to her, the round pen means work and training. At no point did she lower her head or starting licking/chewing to try and join up, she just trots forever until she's hot and sweaty. She doesn't get it. :?
Under an experienced horseman's advise I tried laying her down as a form of JoinUp - asking her to get into her most vulnerable position and trust me to protect her. The first video is from the second time I laid her down...she put up a bit of a fight but she went down within a couple minutes. The second vid is from today, this being the 5th time I've laid her down and it went ALOT smoother. No rearing at all, but still a little hesitant.
After each time I lay her down I take off the western saddle and groom her for 15-20 minutes and praise her like crazy. Then I either work on her leading (walk, trot, whoa, turning on the fore/hind all in hand on a loose lead) OR I tack her up english and ride her in the paddock I laid her down in. She's doing phenominal with her riding now, focussed on me instead of what *might* be in the bush, responds to all her voice commands, and is just alot more receptive to what I'm trying to do with her.
SO, watch the vids and let me know what you think - but before you blast me I have to tell you I'm not just some chick on a power trip. In no way am I FORCING her down, as soon as she goes to her knees I let slack in the lead and gently pull on the saddle horn saying "Down". It's her CHOICE to go down instead of continue fighting, thus the JoinUp in it.
2nd time
5th time
I've tried numerous times to get Eve to JoinUp with me in a round pen but to her, the round pen means work and training. At no point did she lower her head or starting licking/chewing to try and join up, she just trots forever until she's hot and sweaty. She doesn't get it. :?
Under an experienced horseman's advise I tried laying her down as a form of JoinUp - asking her to get into her most vulnerable position and trust me to protect her. The first video is from the second time I laid her down...she put up a bit of a fight but she went down within a couple minutes. The second vid is from today, this being the 5th time I've laid her down and it went ALOT smoother. No rearing at all, but still a little hesitant.
After each time I lay her down I take off the western saddle and groom her for 15-20 minutes and praise her like crazy. Then I either work on her leading (walk, trot, whoa, turning on the fore/hind all in hand on a loose lead) OR I tack her up english and ride her in the paddock I laid her down in. She's doing phenominal with her riding now, focussed on me instead of what *might* be in the bush, responds to all her voice commands, and is just alot more receptive to what I'm trying to do with her.
SO, watch the vids and let me know what you think - but before you blast me I have to tell you I'm not just some chick on a power trip. In no way am I FORCING her down, as soon as she goes to her knees I let slack in the lead and gently pull on the saddle horn saying "Down". It's her CHOICE to go down instead of continue fighting, thus the JoinUp in it.
2nd time
5th time