Friday L&HB Day Five

Remuda with Avery concentrated on the 45' line and I came to the stark realisation that I am very dangerous with this tool! Thank God I have never been near a horse with one yet! I was hitting myself in the face, my throw could go anywhere - left, right, up or down and at one point I managed to lasso someone's leg (maybe a future career at the rodeo?). This is a tool I need to practice with before I start using it!

I also found out that Roget is the son of Casper (Pat's top top horse) and one of his mares, MayDay! This explains some of the behaviour I witnessed yesterday - how interesting!

Day Five of Liberty & Horse Behaviour

Leadership in the Human was today's topic and how to empower yourself to be a good leader. Remember that 'You don't know what you don't know, until you know it!' so don't beat yourself up for lack of knowledge, just continue pushing yourself as a learner. We covered an interesting cycle:

Unconscious Incompetence -> Conscious Incompetence -> Conscious Competence -> Unconscious Competence -> Unconscious Incompetence -> Conscious Incom.......

An interesting exercise was to complete the horsenality chart on myself. It turns out that I am quadrapolar! I think many of you already knew that though!

The practical demonstration for the leadership day was none other than the ultimate leadership test of trailer loading. And thankfully the demo horse was a left brain introvert, so I used it as a great example of how to communicate with Roget in a positive manner and get results.

So Roget and I had a fantastic time this afternoon: playing, cuddling (see photo) and generally enjoying each other's company and achieving tasks. Why did today go so much better than yesterday? Incentive in the shape of carrot chunks, rest and rubs! If there was a carrot chunk in it for Roget, he gave me effort, attention, affection and a wonderful look on his face (you know the one when the dog knows you have a biscuit for him). We achieved everything I asked for (no more 'telling' notice) and he did it willingly - if only this was always the way between horse and human.