This morning I went out to the barn and learned quite a bit about my horse. I truly underestimated George, in every way, shape, and form. For starters, George is very Left-Brained dominant; we knew this. He does, however, display some stallion-esque behaviors. For the first time ever, even playing with stallions, I felt like I needed to be on the other side of the fence. Lunging at me, pawing, freaking out, kicking...it certainly is different when you take a dominant horse out of their comfort zone. I didn't really even ask him to do anything today. My plan was to walk to the arena, do a lap if possible, and then walk back. Put a 22 foot rope on before ever leaving the paddock, because George goes from LBE to RBE in the blink of an eye, and it truly the kind of horse that wouldn't have a problem running me over and not noticing he did it. We stopped at every threshold, touched a lot of new and scary objects, and spent a lot of time playing the "Don't kill me" Game, which is really me just asking him to stay out of my space. Then a HUGE duststorm came up and we had to slowly, but surely, head back to safety.
A few people were out at the barn today, and everyone just had to comment on how gorgeous he is! Yeah, he's gorgeous in every direction! I've found that George is not the kind of right brain that needs to move his feet to think, he needs to stop them to think, and he just doesn't know how. I can tell that he's never been abused, but he's certainly never been taught. I'm also assuming that his racing brackground attributes to his ability to go and go and go and GO without ever thinking. I've decided to go ahead and get a 45-foot line, because George can certainly move, and when he goes RB he can certainly gallop in a 12-22 foot circle. If he can't go forwards, he can go sideways at any speed quite beautifully.
I do have to say I'm a little shaken, but excited to spend more time with George and continue getting to know him. I can see why I was given Ace, but still not sure that I will ever use it. I just don't see a point to it all. I am so glad that George has come to me, even though I wish that I had a Parelli Professional closer by to help me. This is essentially his 3rd chance at life, and I want to give him the best life possible. I feel as though if(and by if I mean WHEN) we can become partners, then I can be a partner with ANY horse.
Things I've learned about George this weekend:
1. He is only confident with me in Zone 1
2. He will not eat with me standing within 10 feet, but will lay down with me standing next to him, or let me walk up to him while he is laying down.
3. He is not okay with me playing friendly with the carrot stick and string, even if I am retreating at a distance of 20+ feet.
4. Everything is scary until it is close enough he can put his zone 1 on it, then it becomes a toy.
5. Miniature horses are evil.
6. He doesn't understand rythmic pressure, doesn't give to continuous pressure, and doesn't usually stand still long enough to have a real release.
7. He is the dominant horse of the ones around him.
8. He is not confident by himself outside of his comfort zone, he wants to be as close a physically possible to me when we're walking somewhere.
9. "He ties", but the second that I tied him his head shot straight in the air and he looked ready to explode, so I untied him and he went back to left brain. He's very clausterphobic about it! Interesting for a horse that has no qualms about the trailer!
I'm still licking and chewing so I know there's more. I would've rathered to spend the day spending undemanding time with George, but the wind that picked up created a 10-foot visibility in the valley, and the sand and dirt on the ranch made it unbearable. Oh well, there is always next weekend! I wish I could spend all day every day out at the barn, darn day job!
George is beautiful! And you're doing an amazing job with him - love your observaitions with him; it'll be cool to see those change the more you work with him! Keep at it!
ReplyDelete~ Esther