We're walking . . .

I longlined Milly for the third time today.  I had Terry take video but there’s definitely a learning curve.  I’ll get a couple larger XD cards when I go to town this week so I can get a couple minutes of some really good video to share.  The clip I got today was largely Terry learning how to run the camera in video mode.

Milly is doing really well.  She is trying to do what I ask but she’s still at the stage where she thinks she needs to do the same thing at the same spot on the circle the next time around.  If she was stopped at that spot the last time, she’s sure I want her to stop there the next time.  It takes two or three times going past that spot before she “gets it.”  I expect this behavior to go away within a couple weeks.  It’s pretty standard.  I don’t fuss or get upset with her, I just ask her to keep doing what I asked.

The first time I longlined her she performed the same walk her mother was famous for.  When she was walking and wanted to be doing something faster she would set her hind legs down just a little short of where they would fall naturally and she would set them down VERY firmly.  Today Milly settled out of the hind leg stomp and relaxed enough that the walk had more swing than march.

Here’s 30 seconds of video to give you an idea of where we’re starting from. 6-26-11Milly I’m not doing anything but walk (lots) and trot (not so much) with turns at the walk.  She’s still at the stage where she isn’t settled enough to stay relaxed through a turn at the trot.  I don’t want her squirting away from me if she gets startled or confused so we’re going slow, calm and careful.  Once she will quietly do changes of direction at the trot I’ll start asking her to canter.

Milly isn’t doing badly in accepting contact on both reins at once but I don’t think she’s ready for consistent contact on both reins.  Plus she’s fat and unfit so we will go slowly.  She lives on a pretty good hill so she has muscle, just no stamina.

All three times I’ve worked her I’ve noticed she’s cinchy.  Apparently when she was at Bolender’s they were not considerate in doing up the girth.  I’m gently snugging up the girth then pulling her front legs forward to free the skin before doing the girth up the last bit.  It’ll take a while but she’ll get over this if I take my time and am consistent about how I do up the girth.  I have never had a horse not get over it.  They quickly learn the legs pulled forward will prevent their skin being pinched and they relax and go with the flow.  I’m not surprised to see this in Milly.  Her mother was the same way, picky about how her equipment fit and was adjusted.

I’ve added the ability to discuss the Axwood Farm Library articles and what each of us is doing to improve our knowledge and skills.  This is the place for triumphs, pictures, questions and explanations.  Don’t be shy, jump right in.

If you want to be part of the discussion, register and send me an email to let me know you want to participate and I’ll adjust your registration accordingly.  Nori