Went to Garey Park in Georgetown to try out the obstacle course and horseback riding lessons. It was fun until it got hot!!! McEntire loved all the available green grass!!
Basic Skill! Done! We learned that McEntire does not like to work at night. We came out late morning and he was much better although not perfect. It’s okay. It’s a joy to watch these kindred spirits work together. She did it one take and it made her feel much better because the last few nights she struggled.
A Blooper kind of day
Oh this child...she is a mess. Just the intro alone we had to film four times. LOL. I love her though. She tries hard, but it is hard sometimes to remember everything. And at this point, we knew McEntire was being a pistol, so an ocassional blooper here and there is totally understandable. Watching the videos, I could see McEntire's worried demeanor respond to the storm coming. Hindsight! Despire all this, it was ultimately productive because we were able to get him a tad better on the trailer. I haven't met many mini's who will back out (my fault mostly). They just don't see the point and honestly, it's easier for us to let them walk out with us. But for the sake of the points we try. Here is a hint- I'd be shocked if he backed out in the end.
A trick!
Something fun we are working on for her freestyle. We need to smooth it out a little bit, but love the willingness of McEntire to do this!
A little Exercise to calm the energy
McEntire wasn't behaving much yesterday. We attributed it to the incoming weather and after school energy. Nonetheless, when we aren't getting anywhere with the harder tasks, we work on some exercising and transitions. In this case a Trot, Walk, Trot, Stop. Pyper is doing fantastic this day, even though he wasn't feeling it. I love her moxie!
PIVOT!!!
Working on turning. They got a lot better shortly after this but it is hard to film all the time and divide myself filming between both girls! Oh well, they get what they pay for as far as a videographer. 🤣
McEntire enduring the Buckle frustration
Catching in the field was a challenge with McEntire. Pyper is an expert at it, but needs practice with that buckle!! When we first picked up McEntire, his previous owner just knew he was going to be impossible catching him and I suspect she had tried for a while before we arrived. She had sighed, went to get some treats, all the while Pyper and Gabby caught him within minutes. To say the previous owner was impressed was an understatement! He is MUCH better now.
Without a Lead....
Well the video pretty much explains what we are working on ! Proud of Mr. McEntire. Once he gets what you are asking him, he is pretty willing. Love him!
McEntire and Pyper Desensitization Training
If you want to see the differences between these two sisters, go and watch Gabby work with Mayo on the same task. Pyper is, let's just say, more confident in getting the job done. Is she right, no, not really. However, her method worked. Did we talk about a more sensitive way of doing this...absolutely. Did McEntire get over his fears of boogers easier - yep. So in the end it worked out but we also worked on slowing down just a tad. Love these two (McEntire and Pyper) though...they are quite funny to watch together. Might as well be related.
Desensitization Training
Mr McEntire was very skittish when we first started our desensitization training. But unilke Mayo, he is quicker to realize that most things aren't boogers. It took a moment, but Pyper was able to get him through the curtain. I was proud of them, because neither horse was realliy "into" this fun stuff.
Determination will win the day....eventually
Pyper really likes trotting McEntire as he tends to be faster than her previous horse, Roni. It's surprising McEntire's age because he does have spunk. These two are a matched pair because they both lose focus often. Many days Pyper tries to get McEntire to follow her cues. He is such a laid back personality, he doesn't always listen and Pyper is THE EXACT SAME WAY. So, I am posting a lot of them doing the same thing because Pyper needs to connect with McEntire on the lead changes and commands. She's trying.
Working on Transitioning...
Pyper has a bad tendency to keep her lead rope too long and therefore doesn't allow McEntire to fully understand what she wants. McEntire is a sweetie though and he has been adapting to her way as they learn each other. It's a lot of repetition, but slowly they will get in sync with eachother!
