I'm really beginning to see a difference in Merlin since I've started the Parelli. I'm not doing too much with Merlin, as I'm still learning the techniques myself, but the principles have gone a long way to understanding how he views the World. One of my favourite quotes is "Take the time it takes, so that it takes less time".
Basically this means, put the work in today, and tomorrow there will be less effort needed. An example is Merlin's fear of all kinds of fly repellent. Obviously he's been forced to have it put on him in order to save time. Coming from a busy farm, as he did, I doubt that there was much time to introduce him gradually to these things. Unfortunately the result is a battle that gets bigger every time the issue is raised, so a quick fix to save time, costs more in the long run. I followed the principles of putting on the pressure and then removing it immediately I got the desired response. I moved the pot of cream towards Merlin and kept it in place all the time he darted around (he even tried to bite me), then when he stood still, I took it away by an arms length. This was repeated until I could get almost to his neck, and then finally I was able to touch him with the pot. I then started the whole process from the beginning with the cream on my fingers, and was able, without too much stress, to put it on him. Next time it should happen quicker and so on until the whole issue is forgotten, and then we'll move onto the next problem. I'm already able to touch his feet now without explosions, so this system really suits Merlin and me!
Monday 28 April 2008
Tuesday 22 April 2008
School holidays
We spent an awful lot of time at the field over the holidays and Merlin is definitely happier when we are around a lot.
Whilst we worked in the vegetable plot, he and Toffee spent their time in the adjoining paddock and Merlin relaxed a great deal and often stood with his head over the fence watching us. He has finally learned a little about personal boundaries, although he likes to check daily in case we let things slip. A few well aimed 'blocks' puts him back where he should be and although flapping my arms like a chicken isn't the most attractive way to walk, it sure is the most effective!
Work with Merlin will continue now the children are back at school and I have a little more purpose :)
Whilst we worked in the vegetable plot, he and Toffee spent their time in the adjoining paddock and Merlin relaxed a great deal and often stood with his head over the fence watching us. He has finally learned a little about personal boundaries, although he likes to check daily in case we let things slip. A few well aimed 'blocks' puts him back where he should be and although flapping my arms like a chicken isn't the most attractive way to walk, it sure is the most effective!
Work with Merlin will continue now the children are back at school and I have a little more purpose :)
Sunday 6 April 2008
Snow 06/04/08
It was sooo beautiful at the field this morning, and the boys had a thoroughly good time, rolling and playing. Unfortunately my camera ran out of juice, so I couldn't get all the pictures I wanted.
Amazingly, this afternoon the snow had thawed enough for me to do a little work with Toffee and Merlin, and Merlin seemed to catch on at last to being touched gently with a carrot stick, although this still needs a lot of work!
Amazingly, this afternoon the snow had thawed enough for me to do a little work with Toffee and Merlin, and Merlin seemed to catch on at last to being touched gently with a carrot stick, although this still needs a lot of work!
Friday 4 April 2008
Good game!
Merlin has taught me to play fetch! At first I thought it was a coincidence, but after three times, I realised he was bringing the ball back for me to throw. He even crouched like a dog, waiting for the ball to go! He's realised that it's safer to dribble with his nose (!) than his feet, and in this way he can travel a lot faster without tripping on the ball. It makes me wonder how much time he plays with it when I'm not there. At first I couldn't find the ball anywhere, until after a thorough search I discovered it behind the field shelter, almost like it had been put away!
We had a great time and Merlin seems to like going past Toffee, at high speed, with his ball, whilst Toffee, bless his little heart, just ignores him :)
We had a great time and Merlin seems to like going past Toffee, at high speed, with his ball, whilst Toffee, bless his little heart, just ignores him :)
Tuesday 1 April 2008
Starting over!
After taking some advice at the weekend, we decided to set some clear boundaries for Merlin. One of these involved play, he can do as much of this as he wants, so long as it doesn't include us! We have ordered a ball from mail order, that is specially designed for horses, but until it arrives, we let Merlin have the old space hopper. I doubt that it will last more than 24hours, as it was getting a good old chew as well as a good kicking. What these pictures don't show, is that Merlin was actually dribbling the ball around the field, pretty fast at times too!
A good while later (when he had calmed down) I decided to play a little confidence building game with a bag tied around a leather cane. At first Merlin was quite wary and gave it a suspicious look.
Then he gave it a little sniff, and I rewarded him by taking it away, to remove the pressure and also let him know that being still was the correct response. We did this several times and it worked very well, until I approached his shoulder.
The tension in the rope says it all. I kept the cane at the same distance from him until he stopped moving, and only then moved it away. This is a really tricky thing to do, in case I accidentally reward him for running away from the 'threat' by taking the cane away too quickly.
After a couple of times Merlin stopped retreating and let the cane get to about 6inches from his shoulder, each time he received the reward in the form of the cane moving away from him. I was keen to end on a good note, with him looking happy and interested as I moved away from him. I'll repeat this in a day or two, but I need to practice more with Toffee as he has less of a hair trigger!
Merlin was very well behaved today, but I didn't take my eyes off him for a second. I think it will take a while for both of us to get our confidence back again, but this time, I don't want to give up on him :)
A good while later (when he had calmed down) I decided to play a little confidence building game with a bag tied around a leather cane. At first Merlin was quite wary and gave it a suspicious look.
Then he gave it a little sniff, and I rewarded him by taking it away, to remove the pressure and also let him know that being still was the correct response. We did this several times and it worked very well, until I approached his shoulder.
The tension in the rope says it all. I kept the cane at the same distance from him until he stopped moving, and only then moved it away. This is a really tricky thing to do, in case I accidentally reward him for running away from the 'threat' by taking the cane away too quickly.
After a couple of times Merlin stopped retreating and let the cane get to about 6inches from his shoulder, each time he received the reward in the form of the cane moving away from him. I was keen to end on a good note, with him looking happy and interested as I moved away from him. I'll repeat this in a day or two, but I need to practice more with Toffee as he has less of a hair trigger!
Merlin was very well behaved today, but I didn't take my eyes off him for a second. I think it will take a while for both of us to get our confidence back again, but this time, I don't want to give up on him :)
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