(Accidental) Training Success

[C Eyler <eyler@mindspring.com>]

Just had to share this...As a newbie to horses and riding, I've read the
training messages with great interest.  In retrospect, I understand why my
unplanned response was such a success.

I most often groom and tack up my gelding on the concrete apron that runs
along the front of the old bank barn, ground tied.  He is generally very
cooperative (actually, he takes a snooze every once in a while).  But it
was driving me nuts that if I left him there for a few moments (to go to
the faucet ten feet away, for instance), he would step off the apron into
the dirt paddock in search of something to eat.

Two weekends ago I got so furious that I made him back up onto the concrete
apron (a step up of about four or five inches) instead of circling around
to return to his original position.  Next day, same thing.

Well, he hasn't stepped off that apron without permission since!!  Even
when the little pony and the miniature donkey (who can't be on grass 24/7)
were munching hay a few feet away from him!!  That time he looked truly
miserable, but he stayed put.

Without planning it, my response made the negative result of his
misbehavior stronger than the gratification.  Now we'll have to try it for
longer periods of time, and without my pausing every few moments to point
at him and command him to stay. <g>

Cindy Eyler (learning to be an alpha mare) & Jack (the equine vacuum cleaner)
Baltimore MD


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