Re: RC: Head drop

[Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net>]

Hmmm....

Never tried a verbal cue.....I'll give it a shot....Sunny is ALWAYS
interested in learning new stuff. 

As an aside, my neighbor does "horses for hire" into the local
mountains.  For those who don't ride and little kids, he does "wagon
rides' around the neighborhood.  My place is a highlight on the trip,
because Sunny goes into "Arabian" mode when the wagon with the
Percherons arrives.  The same horse who makes me wake him up to feed him
does laps at full gallop around the pasture, sliding stops, rears, head
tosses, snorts, and generally puts on an "I'm an Arabian Horse, look at
me" show.  If I am there, I will turn him into the pasture next to the
road.  We have done it so much he knows what to expect and dances while
waiting for me to open the gate.  He goes zipping over to the wagon,
hangs his head over the fence and begs for treats, licks the kids, and
generally is a great advertisement for Arabians.  The "tourists" can't
believe the "wild" horse they saw ripping around the pasture can be so
gentle and friendly.  If they are willing, we do "pony rides" (no
saddle, no bridle), Sunny does his "lay down" trick, does his "stay on
my shoulder" John Lyons gig, and generally has a great time.  Being an
only horse, it's the highlight of his day! He is amazing!

Regards, Jim and Sun of Dimanche 

emszeliga@juno.com wrote:
> 
> Judith & Jim-
> 
> I use two different rein cues, and one verbal cue.  I don't know why I
> started using two cues, but I think it evolved from using one with a lead
> line, and the other with reins.
> 
> rein cues:
> slight pressure on just one rein
> light pressure on alternating reins (as Jim describes)
> 
> verbal cue:
> "head down"  (clever, isn't it!)
> 
> Happy Saint Patrick's Day,
> 
> Liz in Massachusetts
> 
> On Sat, 17 Mar 2001 18:20:35 -0500 Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net> writes:
> > Judith...
> >
> > I use the "drop your head cue" extensively.....both on the ground
> > and
> > from the saddle.  As I'm sure you know, this is an automatic "calm
> > down"
> > to a horse.  From the ground, it's simply a hand on the poll or
> > tension
> > on the halter/bridle.  You need to teach both.  That way, if the
> > horse
> > steps on his reins or lead line, he drops his head instead of
> > pulling
> > away and breaking your bridle/reins or getting excited.
> >
> > From the saddle, the best cue I have found is a "sawing motion" with
> > the
> > reins.  Just "jiggle" the sides of the hack/bridle.  It's easy to
> > teach
> > and you can use it with NO tension on the reins when the horse is
> > relaxed, or when he's really pulling on you (like at the start of
> > an
> > Endurance Ride).  You can put his nose on the ground it you work at
> > it.
> > Very useful to teach "only eat on the trail when I cue you" or "Put
> > your
> > nose in the creek, even if you don't drink".  You can use it at all
> > gaits.  I have tried some "variations" on this such as pressure on
> > the
> > neck (where I could reach....about halfway down).  This also works,
> > but
> > is a little more difficult to teach.  Sunny will do this, but I had
> > to
> > teach it by gradually working backward from the poll.  For example,
> > press on the mane, then press on the poll.  Pretty soon he connects
> > the
> > two, and you don't need to press on the poll first.  The problem is
> > once
> > he drops his head, it's harder to reach the "pressure point"
> > without
> > falling in the creek. <grin> I finally gave up on this, since it
> > wasn't
> > accomplishing anything.
> >
> > I would be interested in knowing why you were interested in a cue to
> > do
> > this that "didn't involve reining" and what you plan to do with it.
> >
> > Maybe I'll learn something else to teach Sunny here! :)
> >
> > Regards, Jim and Sun of dimanche
> >
> > > Judith wrote:
> > >
> > > I am interested in what kinds of prompts folks use from the saddle
> > as
> > > a *Drop your head down* clue. I am esp. interested in clues that
> > might
> > > not involve reining.
> > >
> > > Judith
> >
> >
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> >

-- 
Richard T. "Jim" Holland                 Phone:  (706) 258-2830
LANCONN, Inc.                            FAX:    (706) 632-1271
Three Creeks Farm			 INTERNET:  lanconn@tds.net
175 Hells Hollow Drive                   
Blue Ridge, GA 30513