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truely opposite - complimenting Sour!

1K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  Endiku 
#1 ·
So I'm not sure this is the right place to put it, but I just HAD to brag on my filly sour a bit, and since it has to do with her training...I put it here. haha :D

As most of you know, I work with a nearly-three year old minature filly who's had quite a rough start. I've been working her for well over a year and a half now, and we're really starting to make progress! She lunges, stands tied, trailers, grooms, catches, and leads really well so far (only with me.) , but we still haven't been able to have strangers catch her, pick- let alone shod- her feet, have men handle her, walk past scary objects without atleast a loud snort or hop, or trot without crowhopping a bit. She nips and kicks at strangers, and practically attacks men. Today though, she defied all of these things! The day began when one of the volunteers went to catch her (not knowing that sour was a terror) for her shodding, and my amazing little girl allowed the volunteer to walk right up and catch her! No fuss, no running, no nipping. After that, when it was time for shodding- everyone expected her to flip over backwards, or kick someone, or something, but NO! She stood like a nice little lady and let them do all four feet without a problem (she made sure I knew how good she was later on, and begged for extra carrots xD) didnt even pin her ears when they went to do her back feet! Best of all, the two people that did her feet were BOTH MALES. She didnt even seem to notice! We finished the day with extra grazing time, some light lunging (no problems :D) and checking her milk bag. She was amaaaazing! I've never seen her behave so well. And the funny thing is, today EVERY HORSE ON THE RANCH was acting up (probably spring fever.) except her! The one who ALWAYS acts up! Haha, well I guess spring has an opposite effect on her than the others. They're usually sweet so they were bad, she's usually bad but she was good! =D YAY SOUR!
 
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#5 ·
She's pretty darn cute!!! By all means brag away, lest you explode!!!

I bet the fact that the volunteer just went out there calmly and matter of factly had alot to do with the confidence Sour displayed; our attitudes amount to EVERYTHING in regard to our horses.
 
#6 ·
Well great job to Sour! That sounds pretty amazing considering how you said she was acting before.

I think a part of the aggressiveness might have been because people were thinking of the worst before it even happened. If someone, like what you explained happened recently, just came up to her with confidence then she wouldn't take advantage of the fear. People can't think of all the "what if's" and what the animal did last time. If you are always thinking of the past, you can't make the future.

This is sort of my problem, too. I've gotten hurt from falling off my gelding, and I can read him real good to see when he's going to act up. I always just brace myself and get a bit scared, because I am just scared out of my boots to ride him. (Last time I fell off of him was three years ago, but this fear still lets him take advantage of his training. He is excellent with groundwork, very respectful and intellegent.) But I guess I should practice what I preach, but it's hard to when you get hurt. As if you walked out on a bridge once, and the bridge collapsed and you fell into the water and got some cuts and bruises from the rocks. Does that mean you will never cross any bridge again? Never swim again? Never go anywhere again? Well, fear is what cripples us, more so than injuries in a sense.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I think it had everything to do with her attitude! I mean, I know that's the reason she lets me work with her. Even when she's run straight at me with bared teeth, or kicked insanely close to me- I've remained emotionless and confident (in appearance atleast!) I respect her, but in no way fear her. And she knows that. When that girl approached with confidence similar to the way I approach, Sour knew that it was time to behave. And boy did she!

ButtInTheDirt- first of all I have to tell you that your name made me laugh xD second, those words are so true! Our confidence is everything with a horse.
They can so easily sense out or fears. And it IS hard to mask those feelings, especially after going through a bad fall or something! I definately think that if people hadn't reacted to Sour's actions in the first place, she wouldn't of become the terror that she is/was. I mean really. I was a 12 year old who weighed less than half of what she did- yet I could lead her around by her mane while a grown man had to corner her and rope her to get anything done. Why? Confidence. She knew that I knew what I wanted.
 
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