Patience may just be possible for the Pot-bellied Palomino Pony, as proven by a mere 8 hours of practice in a chilly arena on a dreary, drafty day.
We spent last Saturday at a clinic of “The Common Horseman”, Bob Johnson. By the end of the day, Biskit learned to release to light pressure, which in this case means he now drops his head, backs up or moves forward in response to a quiet cue from me, given with two fingers on the snap of his lead rope. That’s light pressure. Heavy pressure would be my previous technique – verbal threats of bodily harm demanding his cooperation, generally beginning and ending with a string of un-pleasantries not fit to print.
It was a great day, with effective training in the company of fun people and beautiful horses. Biskit also enjoyed meeting new friends, and was especially smitten with the lone filly (girl) in the group – the lovely Gypsy, a very pretty roan with a sweet expression and soft eye.
Alas, Biskit’s romantic euphoria lasted only as long as his ride home, where he demonstrated his lessons of the day by walking calmly out of the trailer, to the pasture and the reality of life at the bottom of the herd – a swift kick to the afore-mentioned potbelly from Chicago. No damage done, just a warning shot to remind that “light pressure” is a relative term.
From Four Sticks Farm 