They say we learn through our mistakes. I must be very learned by now.
Today I realized my mistake with bridling Mag yesterday. My priority was to get the bit in his mouth.
Today my priority was to insist that his head stay down no matter what. He accepted my shift of priorities right away, with his head at my knees.
I had kept the bit+string "bridle" in the grain box all night. Grain that I only use for special occasions like this (cheap high fiber pellets).
I clipped a lead rope onto his halter, held the bridle up to his face, reminding him head down. Then I removed it, put it in the bucket, and let him take one small bite of grain from the bucket.
I repeated this, but this time with the bit *under* his chin, getting closer. He kept his head still so I removed it and gave him another tiny bite of grain.
The third time I took the bridle out of the bucket, put the bucket behind me, and placed the bridle in position.
He OPENED HIS MOUTH and took the bit. I praised him, put the string behind his ears, and gave him the bucket. I walked away to let him enjoy it in peace.
(I was prepared and expecting to have to stick my thumb in his mouth to force it in, but somehow that wasn't necessary today.)
When he was finished I walked up, took the bridle off slowly, letting him spit out the bit himself, and then took the bucket away.
In the intermission I trimmed the donkey's hooves, getting completely sweaty and disgusting (donkey height means your elbow is often under the tail, ew).
30 minutes later I put a few cups of grain pellets into the bucket on the bit and clipped a lead line on Mag's halter.
I asked for head down, and then took the bit out of the bucket, placing the bucket behind me. I held it up to his face, reminding him to keep his head low, and he again opened his mouth for the bit, this time also getting a little bit of the extra string in his mouth too. I praised him, took the string out of his mouth, secured it over his ears and gave him the bucket. I unclipped the lead rope and walked away again.
Eventually I won't use a bucket, I'll just have a treat in my hand behind the bit, so taking the bit willingly will stick with him.
If only I'd thought of this yesterday. Oh well, I'm happy.
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8 comments:
whatever works!
how's the coughing?
Thanks for asking Aarene, I heard no coughing today but we didn't go anywhere, it poured rain the entire day. ; )
Yay glad it worked!
I love this step by step process. You take the path that sets them up to succeed. And if something doesn't work, you have a place to start over to try again. I think that's why I enjoy reading your blog so much. I got to where I always had a few pellets in my hand, really as a thank you for putting that hard piece of medal in their mouths. With the big butted Appy, I rewarded him for standing still for mounting with a baby carrot. I don't have to have absolute subservience. It became not a reward but a thank you.
Sounds like he's a really quick study. Doesn't matter what happened yesterday, you got it today. Think of all those who won't/don't/can't find other ways to accomplish ways to make it easier for all involved.
I can totally relate to this post. My mare has always been great about her bridling and then suddenly wasn't. It wasn't her teeth (that was checked) so I assumed I'd done something that caused irritation. I think I nailed it down to quickly removing the bridle and bit then banged her in the teeth. I had to work a similar process both putting on AND taking off the bridle. I didn't use treats but was considering these http://www.lickitybits.com/ Thought I'd share that since I still think they could be good to use on occassion. Great read!
It's progress! He seems like a thinking horse
Yay!! What a good boy! Sometimes we just have to try different methods until we find the right one. I'm glad you found what works!
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