Re: Pony prices and training..tap,tap,tap

[Bierstedt <Bierstedt@aol.com>]

Lynette:

I think you misunderstood what I was doing with my young Arabian. I have never
held him facing something that is scaring him. I've only tapped him after he
stands for several minutes, not turning away or backing up, just not going
forward. As soon as he takes one step forward, I stop the tapping and praise
him. The spinning he's done has been suddenly, unexpectedly (no tapping
involved).

However, this is my first Arabian (all my other horses have been
Thoroughbreds), and I find his intelligence to be way above my current
Thoroughbred (whom I have taken to calling "retarded," out of his earshot, by
comparison). I've also never had a youngster before, and I love the
relationship that we are building.

I would very much like to hear more about how to build trust. I expect
"Charlie" to be a companion for a long time to come. Thanks.

Karen