Jan
29
WRITTEN BY:
SuperUser Account
29/01/2011 8:52 PM
Ok, so it's been a while since I wrote about these guys - but they are both doing great. They've both had hair cuts, been washed, gelded, had their teeth, hooves and bodywork done. They have settled in well with their herd and everyone has their place (for now).
The two boys stick together most of the time but Queen Mare has taken a liking to Black Jack also - Kit Kat is still quite stand-offish to anyone but Black Jack.
Although the boys remain a little nervous, the upside to this sensitivity is that their trainability is second to none - Black Jack especially responds to just a whisper of an aid and the movement on the pair of them is gorgeous.
After giving them some time off - they are still both young, it's time now to get them going and ready for some riding. Although they were ridden on the station, I've done some mouthing with them just to be sure they are fully soft in the mouth and reponsive and accepting of the bit. Black Jack has had a few extra sessions but he is really coming along well. Kit Kat will need another one or two times with the mouthing rig before I am satisfied he is ready to go on.
The mouthing rig I've used is one taught to me by Dianne Jenkins (diannejenkins.com.au). I purchased a mare from Di 6 years ago who has the softest mouth I've known so I feel confident this kind and safe method is a good way to achieve the same results.
The rig is simple - a solid metal ring is attached to either side of the bit with binder twine - essentially it just hangs below the chin.
Once the ponies were comfortable with a roller and being gently lunged off a headcollar, a longer piece of binder twine was attached to one roller ring, threaded through the bit ring and back around to the other side of the roller. At first the length of the body line was long and loose, so there was no pressure at all on the bit. Gradually and in stages, the line was gently taken up, with encouragement and hand pressure on the nose to encourage the ponies to lower their head. Reward is given at every yield and it is not long before they are comfortable dropping their nose. By showing them that they can bring their head and neck around (to look at their side) they immediately realise they have a release from the pressure on the bit ring. It is important to note that this method is practicedgently and slowly, at all times working with the acceptance of the horse and only with reward, never emotional pressure or discipline. The horse never throws its head up because it has the sideways release and by the time there is any pressure on the ring, it knows it can move freely around.
Once the horse is accepting of the pressure on the bit, I release the leadline and stand a little way back just letting the pony do whatever it wants to - walk around, stand up and feel, turn around to feel the pressure and release. The brumbies were so accepting and quiet that I actually had to walk around and ask them to follow. Occasionally I would show them they could turn around and drop their nose to feel the release.
To end the session, I remove the mouthing rig and do a little free work in the round yard - asking for walk, trot and halt to verbal and physical aids (such as crouching to halt). Black Jack is a master of this - I'm so looking forward to moving on with him. Kit Kat is more dominant and not so willing to do so, but last session I could see him coming out of his shell a little - he just needs a little more one on one time.
Thanks to our woolley weather this weekend we've had a break while we prepare the property for strong winds. Not much had to be done, but all the chairs etc are packed away and we've taken the chance to do some maintenance around the place.
We'd love to hear your comments - how do you mouth your horses, what kind of success have you had?