Post by Morgan on May 19, 2010 21:15:49 GMT -5
AFTERGLOW training for the gate
"C'mon girl it's not as scary as you think, " Morgan said gently to the dark bay filly. She shook her head and tugged at the lead rope not wanting to get any closer to the large blue cages. Morgan walked back to her side and patted her sweaty neck. Afterglow tensed and bowed her head, her black mane bouncing on her neck. She chewed nervously on the bit, still just getting used to the metal bar in her mouth. Only last month she was started with the tack. She had adapted quickly and actually looked forward to having the bit in her mouth after Morgan found some mint wipes to clean her bit with. She wasn't all joy and happiness when it came to the girth part, but after a lot of work she was able to tolerate it without lunging at the groom. Luckily today Morgan was just working Stormi with her bridle.
Morgan stood by Stormi's side, waiting until she calmed down a bit and the white in her eyes were gone. She circled the young filly around and walked her in the opposite direction before turning back and facing the gate again. Stormi tossed her head when it came into view but walked on not fighting Morgan this time. Owen waited in the gate to take Stormi's lead rope and then pass it on to Morgan to let Stormi walked through the first time. Morgan quietly passed the lead rope over to Owen as Stormi cautiously stepped inside the looming cage. If anything surprising were to happen Stormi would be out of that gate in a snap second, dragging poor Owen with her. But nothing happened and Stormi quickened her pace as she skipped through the gate, Morgan quickly grabbing the lead rope back from Owen as they walked out of the gate. "See? That wasn't so hard was it?" she said to the filly who suddenly perked up, her normal spirit returning.
They circled back around to the back of the gate. Morgan lead Stormi through a few more times until she was completely relaxed. Soon the filly didn't even need Morgan by her side to lead her in. She just walked through and back out. Morgan had to walk quickly to catch up. Their next step was to hand Owen the rope and have him stop Stormi in the gate. They wouldn't close it but just let her stand there for a while. Morgan walked towards Owen who took the lead rope and pulled back to slow Afterglow and keep her in the gate. Afterglow spooked a little, laying her ears back as she quickly backed out of the gate. Morgan grabbed her lead rope and lead her away from the gate before turning back and trying it again. This time Stormi stayed, but with ears perked and legs ready to jump at any noise. Owen held her in the gate for a while until she began to relax, then let Morgan take the lead rope again and lead her around. They continued to do this until Afterglow was just as comfortable standing inside the gate as outside.
They took a little break for lunch by twelve and put Stormi back out in a small paddock where they could easily get her after lunch. She stood quietly swishing her tail as she grazed pulling up chunks of grass and roots. A few flies buzzed by her ears, she immediatly shook her head, her dark mane flying all over the place. Morgan sat at a small picnic table by the barn eating her own lunch as Owen went and prepared the gate for the next training session with Stormi. He returned after and sat across the table from Morgan. "How do you think she'll do when she starts racing?" she asked Owen as he stole some chips from her bag. He turned and stared at Stormi for a bit as she grazed. "No doubt about it," he said while nodding. Morgan finished her lunch and walked over to the paddock. Stormi happily trotted over while neighing as Morgan clipped on the lead rope and went to put her bridle back on.
They were back at the gate, Stormi still only wore her bridle, for the next session would involve both saddle and bridle. Morgan led her into the gate where Owen grabbed her lead rope that was connected to her bit and halted her inside the gate. She stood alert but wasn't as spooky as the first few tries. Morgan walked around the front where she gently closed the front gate. Stormi raised her head and snorted as she tugged at the lead rope, fighting to back out. Owen held her still until she calmed a bit, but still shook with a bit of fear at the looming cage door in front of her. Owen leaned over and fed her a small treat which she munched on happily, distracted and in her own world for that moment. Then Morgan opened the gate which Stormi, surprised, leaped out. Owen couldn't hold on as the filly burst, but Morgan had an idea she would do it and positioned herself to grab the lead rope. She grabbed it and let it slide through her fingers before tightening her grip and talking to the excited filly. Morgan rubbed her neck and walked her back around. This time they had the front door already closed. Morgan handed Owen the lead rope and let Stormi sit there for a little. Owen gave her another treat which she munched on happily again.
They let Stormi stand in the gate for a little, every time she seemed to calm down a bit more Owen would hand her a small treat or reward her with an ear rub. Eventually she was completely calm and quiet, almost happy to be in there. Then Morgan slowly closed the back door. Stormi tensed and looked back nervously, her ears flicking back and forth in curiosity of what just happened. She back up and hit her rump against the back door. She leaned on the gate as if testing its strength and began to toss her head in fear. Owen leaned over and tightened his grip on the lead rope while petting her neck. She was still tense but had calmed down a bit. Owen continued to reward her every time she got used to the gate more. Eventually she sat quietly and hardly seemed tense at all. Morgan opened the back gate and had the filly back out. The front gate opening would be work for next time. There she would learn how to burst from the gate. For now it was just how to stand quietly and be patient. So far she had passed that test.
Morgan led the dark bay filly out talking to her the whole way back to the barn. Owen got the gate ready for training with Frozen Motion later on. Morgan led the filly to the cross ties and replaced her bridle with a halter. From there she took the young filly out to her pasture where Silver Song and IGS Xalbadora awaited her. The three were the best of friends and you could never look out and not see them galloping like crazy around their pasture. Morgan took off her halter and closed the gate, turning around the watch Afterglow meet up with her two friends and then gallop over a small hill out to the rest of their pasture. She locked the gate and headed over to another pasture nearby where Frozen Motion and his friends frolicked freely.
step one gate training; finished (getting the horse used to the gate and comfortable inside it when both the front and back gate are closed.)
step two gate training; unfinished (getting the horse back into the gate, keeping them comfortable in the gate, and working on jumping out from the gate. this session involves a saddle and bridle.)