Hours at the barn, ride stalls walk

Went over early to get there before the whole group and even before Bonnie and Krystyn.  I had to sew the padding on the bar first while Duke was in the stall. I brought my sewing kit. Duke was happy to see me.  He munched  away at the hay.  Babe was in the hall and Misty was back in the stall next to Duke. The goats are back at the house.  It was peaceful at the barn. It didn't take long before Bonnie and Krystyn was at the doorway.  I also asked Bonnie if I could get some of the bad hay for the garden.  She got me a plastic bag and I filled i The goat that felt bad was better.
I talk. ked with them for a while.
I let them know that I would pitch in a couple stalls after some quality time with Duke. Want to get him tacked and out the door. Need to work with him on his manners.
I had some cut up apples and carrots.  I put them in a bag and brought them out after I got him tacked up.  I gave the salt lick to Babe, it was too little for Duke's big tongue.
I went into the arena and walked Duke a little bit. We used the back up technique. I got the reins and bit on in the ailse and then used the reins as the leadline. I don't like the bit lately or the way it fits.
Walked him and got the on by positioning the mounting block near the back door which is pointed or heading to the light of th back door. I thought that Duke would like to see the outside it could help him slow down and realized that we need to work. We walked around 2 times in arena then out the door.
Well I had a simple straight forward ride. It has rained a bit before I went out and it was still sprinkling.  Out the dirt road to the greenwood road turn at Bonnies house and then back. Two times or so in the arena then untacked him.  Was pretty good.  I asked if it was ok to put him in the outside paddock while I did stalls. Then I did the stalls. I did other side today.  Muck, New horse, Brat, Doc, Thistle, 5 of the stalls. 
The whole time Duke was in the outside paddock while the others were in the stalls. He only spoke me a few time while he grazed the edge of the fence and walked around.

Phil Whitmore at Greenwood with Duke

Wow it was an eventful day.  Laurie with Cathy nad Lexie and Amy were on theire way to be in the event.  I was working hard to make sure that the event would be ok. 

Skills worked on with Duke

• Backing him up and getting him to focus on what we are doing
• No giving up when asking him
• Asking smaller things so its easier for him to learn
• Make sure its fun
• Using my hand and tapping his chest to help hi back up
• Getting him warmed up 4 steps forward and then 4 steps back
• Using the backward method to get him to focus
• Keeping the space between us
• If he bumps me then  he is stepping out of line
• Need to work out more
• He can sit quetly for a long time
• He can step onto a platform better than anyone else
• If you want to do the shaking trick, you use the tapping to ask and when he answers stop the pressure
• The horse brings his hoof up and does it 80 percent of the lift
• Horse could probably stand all of his feet on a platform
• Duke is pretty skilled
• Phil said his skills had dulled but there are there
• Hes lazy and Phil called it
• He also noticed he could have some arthritis issues
• Tricks learned:  Smile, steps forward and back, lift his leg, put his leg in a rope and then slip to the side that I would pull, platform standing, walking to the platform, Bonnie showed me better way to change out the halters (by using the lead line around the next and then slip them on and off) Pressure used to get Duke to understand, keep his mind accupied with you

Trick Training Clinc Weekend

Friday night was great!  I was at the barn and did a ton of chores. I walked Duke and also was able to work with him while getting organized. I was able to get the military saddle, clean it up and also put it on Duke and ride in the arena

When over Friday night with Amy and the kids, they love the goats and I can do some chorses with Duke. I had him whear the Army Saddle and then took a walk  after and we rode for  a minute in the arena.  He was good, I had a quick back and forth and Jess was helpful getting me a helmet and helping me mount.

The group was having their vodka and meat potatoe supper, Bonnie offered me a little bit they forgot that I'm glueten free. It was a nice night and I feel ilke just a little bit of time helped me get a lot done.

Saturday

I did some chorse around the house because Bob was working. Then around 12 I went over to help with the stalls.  I don't mind doing a few and seeing what the horses are like in their stalls.  I also have begun to like Krystyn a little bit more.