Drink lots of coffee.
No, seriously. My RI Sarah came out to help because Sid has misbehaved twice with my sharer. I explained the situation to her and she went off to set up some likely napping items (a huge red coat and an extra-large brightly coloured feed bag) along the lane for Sid to nap at so she could help me work him through it.
I wish she had stayed with me because we rode down out of the field, I ask Sid to turn left down the lane, and he said, "F*ck you, no way, I will go right!" I tried to turn him, he refused and carried on going right. I insisted. He bucked, the little bugger! I tapped him on the shoulder with my schooling whip - I don't usually carry one but Sarah had advised it - turned him the other way, and he grumpily went. Then of course he tried to dash back into the field through the gate. NO, Sid!
Down the lane we went. Jane 1, Sid 0. He stretched his neck, shook his mane and settled. Then we encountered the first of Sarah's Set-up Spooky Items and yes, he stopped.
Her advice to me was:
Sharer has as it happens just tested positive, so won't be coming this week. I will make sure I take Sid out a few times to keep him warm for her.
No, seriously. My RI Sarah came out to help because Sid has misbehaved twice with my sharer. I explained the situation to her and she went off to set up some likely napping items (a huge red coat and an extra-large brightly coloured feed bag) along the lane for Sid to nap at so she could help me work him through it.
I wish she had stayed with me because we rode down out of the field, I ask Sid to turn left down the lane, and he said, "F*ck you, no way, I will go right!" I tried to turn him, he refused and carried on going right. I insisted. He bucked, the little bugger! I tapped him on the shoulder with my schooling whip - I don't usually carry one but Sarah had advised it - turned him the other way, and he grumpily went. Then of course he tried to dash back into the field through the gate. NO, Sid!
Down the lane we went. Jane 1, Sid 0. He stretched his neck, shook his mane and settled. Then we encountered the first of Sarah's Set-up Spooky Items and yes, he stopped.
Her advice to me was:
- Don't let him turn around. He must not turn around.
- Don't hold the reins tightly, it only encourages running backwards and/or going up.If he evades through the shoulder (this is Sid's default) use the schooling whip to stop him.
- A couple of backwards steps are ok. When he stops going backwards, ask for a forwards step.
- If he takes even one single step, take the pressure off. Praise him. We use a wither rub.
- If it take 30 single steps to get him past the obstacle, so be it. If it takes 20 minutes, so be it.
- If he offers more steps, praise him as he goes. When he gets past, give him a praise fest.
- If he gives the obstacle a wide berth, go back past it again if the situation allows to encourage him to go closer. This is important on narrow lanes where there may be traffic.
Sharer has as it happens just tested positive, so won't be coming this week. I will make sure I take Sid out a few times to keep him warm for her.