My beautiful pony!

I had another beautiful day with Shadow and definitely going to be beaming ALL week....!

I woke up early because it was so beautiful today and sunny and got to the yard early to get all the chores done ( was my shift, so needed to do make morning feeds, get all bowls, clean waters, bowls and check fields etc) which takes the good part of an hour, so wanted to get that done early so I could poo pick then spend quality Shadow time!

When I arrived, Shadow was by the fence and he looked quite sleepy! As I've been neglecting him recently, I thought I'd make it up to him by itching his FAVOURITE spot, between his legs- he goes crazy for it and loves it!





Some of the younger girls at my yard have perhaps mocked me when they've seen my bum bag and actually said to me today about whether I should be doing that and said to others about the treats I give Shadow ( even though they told the girls that I clicker train) anyway, I had Shadow in today and they had their horses in. The first thing I was really proud of, was last time I had Shadow in with them, back in Summer when we first began clicker, he broke the fence- he didn't have a haynet and he flipped out. They got cross and said he was really naughty etc, which is when we began working properly on standing still! I used to NEVER be able to groom him without him fidgeting or moving or wanting to eat the brush.

Well today, he had no haynet ( the other horses did) I know it sounds perhaps unfair, but we don't have much hay at the mo as we're waiting for the delivery and the last hay we had was going out for them tonight, plus it was a good test too. He stood perfectly, he did move everynow and then which of course is fine, but no fidgeting or creating that the horses opposite him had hay- he didn't kick about with his feet or legs and I was quite proudAnyway; after they'd been saying about clicker, I perhaps had a bit of a n egotistic moment and decided to show off... I wasn't going to let it get the better of me, just wanted to subtley prove a point. So I got on my bumbag and saw them snigger and undid the lead rope and walked back, telling Shadow to wait, then said ''Come here'' and he came, C/T, and he went over all the things we've been taught- not so much intentionally but to avoid standing on things- so to stop going on the log and slipping, I said ''Over'' and he did it and then ''Back'' and ''Stand'' and then perhaps Shadow really proved how smart he is LOL! He went to eat the grass and I said ''Ah no'', he bought his head up and got a good boy and treat, and so he put his head half way down towards the grass and stopped, I stupidly repeated again ''Ah no'' and it wasn't until about the 7th ''Ah no'' that I realised Shadow wasn't going to eat the grass, because he was waiting! Clever boy! He got bored of that after a while as I think it gave him neck ache, but I did chuckle

The best bit though was seeing the girls, they were watching ( or pretending to not watch ) and as I went to put Shadow back out; one of them asked ''Could you tell me a little more about clicker, as I think it'd be helpful''

Result

Played with Shadow in the field and waited for his owner to get down as we planned on going for a short ride up to the woods with Cassie, Luca and Lacey ( field mates), Cassie is a baby and we take her out for little walks, I've never met a horse quite so laid back as her, she really is the sweetest natured and most relaxed, nothing bothers her. Luca and Lacey came out too. Shadow decided to take the lead to begin with, and wanted to go in front. Although it was good that he was excited and not holding back despite that there was the motorway and lots of noise and birds etc and in the woods, it was something which I needed to work on, is getting him more responsive to my seat. Shortly after getting through the first bit of the woods, he seemed to relax more and then we had my least favourite bit- the horse crossing. He went behind the lead horse, and waited patiently for the lights to change. To get into the car park of the woods, you have to walk over this step over bit, and in it was a bit of mud and a puddle. Lacey went over and Luca was in front and is scared of it, Shadow had been waiting and then suddenly decided enough was enough and stormed through and barged his way through. I said ''Ah ah!'' and asked him to stand and waited for the other two. Walked through the car park when Shadow caught sight of a dog. Shadow has never had a negative experience with a dog before, and we have dogs at our yard and he isn't phased by most things, but really hates dogs. This family were actually quite a pain because they moaned about the horses ( despite we were on the horse path and it isn't meant for dog walkers and they were on the wrong trail) and let their dog off the lead and thought it started barking as we were going past the narrow step over, where there are ponds either side with deep water. Shadow freaked and bolted forward and instead of going over the step over, took me through very thick branches- my face is covered in scratches as well as my body, it hurt like hell and if I'd let go ( I was holding on the side and fortunately said to Shadow to move over) I would of fallen in the pond or rolled off into it. It was a close call and I got off Shad who was actually shaking a bit and asked Kelly to hold him and I did tell the dog owners to be more considerate and go on the other path and pointed out that they were on the wrong trail. They got all cross with me, and as I was walking, they thought it'd be hilarious to scare Shadow ( who they could see at this point was scared, PLUS I had a young horse tabard on) and threw a squeaky toy for there dog at Shadow. He got scared again, I calmed him down, gave him to Kelly and really shouted at them. I was fuming at this point and at their inconsideration. They thought they were pretty funny, and I told them to grow up because their behaviour could kill someone or a horse, or their children. That definitely shut them up and then they went the other way.

Walked for a bit more and then got back on and went back over to the narrow bit and went through nicelyShadow was relaxed on the way home and so chilled. He really enjoys going out and I hope that minor incident hasn't put him off totally, although I doubt it has as there was dogs back at the yard and he was fine. I was really glad I bought my clicker with me, as it helped to reward him for being so well behaved and he was so happy as was I. Well I felt he was happy, when he's cross or distressed, he won't move and is very reserved, he is tense and tries to bite things. He was so relaxed and forward goingI love him lots!









More images






The typical ''Gimme clicker or I eat you'' situation


''Cos I love ya''.