Warm Days Ahead
It’s starting to really feel like Spring on the farm! As the days start to warm up and it begins to stay lighter longer – I’ve been starting to get the boys back in shape. I clipped Boomerang the other day, and started practicing for some up coming competitions this Spring.
Boomer is feeling fresh, and loving all the attention again. And he couldn’t be happier that we’re running through some of the mounted games races. After all of our fun Blitz and Boomer seem to really enjoy rolling in the dusty dirt.
Minnow is also excited about the added daylight, because it means I can fit some riding in with Boomerang and some trick training in with him.
Even though Minnow can’t be ridden because of his ringbone, he still needs to be exercised. So I’ve developed a “recall” game that I play with him in the arena to allow him to exercise himself at a speed that is comfortable to him.
Much in the same way you might work on recalls with your dog – I send him away from me, then recall him back. As you can see in the video below, Minnow really likes this game and often times goes bucking and running when I send him away.
It’s become a fun way for Minnow to keep in shape, while getting to choose how much he wants to run based on his pain tolerance for that day. I never ask him to canter or trot, but simply let him choose how quickly he wants to play the game.
So what are you doing this Spring to get your horses in shape? Any exciting events to look forward to? I’m still looking for a place to start Boomerang on cattle – can’t wait!
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Minnow you are just too cute for words!!!
That is so adorable! I loved the video. 😀 What a great game. How did you teach him the send away?
Thanks. The “recall” was taught much in the same way you would teach a dog to come. rewarding him when he came to a verbal cue or in this case a kissing sound. Later we added the send away just by playing around one day in the arena. I discovered that if I jump up and down Minnow would take off running and bucking – eventually we simplified it to a hand gesture that meant “run away” and off he’d go. In the beginning he got clicked when he ran off – but now I only reward him when he returns to my call.