Posts Tagged ‘natural horsemanship
I’ll take the Apple Flavor today
One of the clicker training blogs I read (I Feel Good, My Horse Feels Good) just did a post about a new bit that is available that is perfect for clicker trained horses! Its called the Nutri Bit, and basically it delivers a flavorful liquid into your horse’s mouth through the bit. You dispense it by pushing a button on your reins.
If you check out the post by a fellow clicker trainer about the Nutri Bit you can easily see why she’s so excited to try it. Its essentially the same reason why I just HAD to do a post about it too.
Myself, I’m imagining being mid-spin around a mounted games obstacle and “dispensing” the “treat” to my horse for an awesome spin without ever breaking stride.
I’m also picturing getting Boomerang over his extreme distaste of the bit – he’s the reason I now ride my ponies in a Bitless Bridle. As much as I love the Bitless bridle I still have a few control issues with Boomerang, and I don’t like the fact that he’s figured out that by bucking and rearing he never has to endure a bit in his mouth again.
Anyway that being said, I’m anxiously awaiting the “Clicker Training Review” on the Nutri Bit, and if it passes the test I just might have to invest. My only concern is that for my sport I really need to knot my reins or I risk tangling myself in looping reins with all the on/off work I do. So I’m not sure the bit would still dispense properly if I did this. I’ll just have to wait and see.
Trick Pony Goals
So I thought if I wrote down some of my goals for the Trick Ponies in 2010 it might actually help me to accomplish them. Hopefully our cold winter doesn’t last too long and I can get to training them soon! So here’s my list (in no particular order):
1. Teach Minnow to rear
2. Teach Blitz and Boomer to lay down on command
3. Finish teaching Ammo and Boomer to paint
4. Come up with a new skit for Minnow to perform
5. Make a new video of all of the trick ponies (and the Dachshund) performing
6. Move Boomer up to compete in the Masters Division in Mounted Games
7. Take Blitz to a bombproofing clinic/and or some Dressage events
8. Teach Ammo and Minnow some tricks together
9. Find more venues/performances for Minnow to do – events that raise money for charities would be great.
10. Spend more time doing “nothing” with the boys
Blitz is the first of the Chincoteagues to learn to lay down
So what do you think? Anything I should add? Suggestions on new tricks to teach the boys? I’d love to hear your goals – maybe you want to learn more about clicker training – maybe you just want to teach your horse one trick? Whatever it is, I wish you much success in the new year! Click on!
New Paintings!
"Fence Painting" by Chesapeake Lightning
I’m happy to announce the release of 4 new paintings. Chincoteague Minnow has painted 2 works of art and also for the first time EVER we are offering 2 paintings by Chesapeake Lightning (Blitz). Blitz only recently just learned to paint and I’m happy to report that he’s enjoying it just as much as his older brother Minnow. I find it fascinating that Blitz has a completely different technique when it comes to painting. Minnow prefers to be a little more “wild and crazy” with his brush strokes, while Blitz is very precise and methodical. He really likes to paint up and down strokes and is very deliberate about where he puts the brush. I like to call his style “fence painting”, because thats exactly what it looks like.
Anyway, you can check out all the boys work by visiting their online shop here. The paintings make a great gift for friends and family. And don’t forget that by purchasing a Pony Painting you are helping to support the wild ponies of Assateague Island. Two Christmas gifts in one!
Don’t forget to bid on Minnow’s Christmas Ornaments to help raise money for the Main Line Animal Rescue.
"Sugar Plum Dreams" by Chincoteague Minnow
‘Tis The Season To Give
Chincoteague Minnow - Head Painter
Since 2007 Chincoteague Minnow has been creating paintings. What started off as a fun project to do with my spunky little Chincoteague Pony turned into a way to give back to my community and evolved into not just one painting pony, but a herd of painting ponies. Since Minnow’s very first painting was created I have been donating some of his profits to some of my favorite Charities. This year we raised enough money to donate $150 to the Chincoteague Pony Association. All proceeds generated by the Chincoteague Pony Association goes directly to the care, maintenance, and support of the wild ponies of Assateague Island, VA for items such as – Feeding, Veterinary Bills, Farriers, Inoculations, etc. The wild ponies of Assateague have been on the island for over 300 years, and my very own Chincoteague Minnow was born on the island in 1993. I choose to donate to this organization because they use the money to help continue on a 300 year old legacy and preserve a breed that likely would have otherwise been extinct. Each year volunteers from the Chincoteague Fire Company visit the island to provide medical care to ponies in need, they also provide hay for the ponies when food is scarce and they bore holes in the ice so that the ponies have water to drink in freezing conditions.
Myself and Minnow with one of his paintings
I am thankful for those who care enough for this wild and ancient breed to donate their time to keep them happy and healthy. It warms my heart to know that Minnow (and the other trick ponies’) works of art can go towards helping their own kind, and their wild ancestors.
This year I have also decided to donate to one of my local animal shelters, Main Line Animal Rescue. Rescues are extra special to me, because Chincoteague Minnow was once a victim of irresponsible horse care. It took me a long time to regain his trust again, and I am thankful everyday that there are those out there that rescue and give love to animals just like Minnow.
To raise money for the Main Line Animal Rescue Minnow painted 2 Holiday Christmas Ornaments on November 29th. We will be giving away these ornaments on the blog to whomever bids the highest. 100% of the sales will be donated to the Main Line Animal Rescue.
In order to be the highest bidder simply comment on this post with how much you are willing to donate. The two highest bidders will each get one of Minnow’s custom painted Christmas Ornaments along with a 4×6 photo of Minnow painting. So get into the Holiday Spirit – help a worthy charity – and get something unique for your holiday tree!
"horse-painted" ornaments by Chincoteague Minnow
HOW TO WIN:
Comment: Place a comment on this post with the total amount that you are willing to donate. You may comment as many times as you like – your highest bid will be used in the contest.
Prize: The two highest bidders will each receive a custom ORIGINAL painted glass Christmas Ornament by Chincoteague Minnow along with a 4×6 photo of Minnow painting. Payment will be accepted by paypal at the close of the contest.
Deadline: The deadline to bid is December 12th at 10am EST
100% of the sale of Minnow’s Holiday Christmas Ornaments will be donated to the Main Line Animal Rescue.
Don’t forget that there are lots of great paintings still available in the Ponies online shop. With each purchase you are helping to raise money to help feed and care for the wild ponies of Assateague Island. Several new paintings will be going up for sale soon!
-KD & The Trick Ponies
www.ponypaintings.com
Down for the Count
Sharing some photos today of Boomerang’s latest trick…well sort of. You may think by the photos that I taught him to lay down (which I do fully intend to to). But in actuality this little photo op happened by accident.
I was working with Boomer in the ring on his leading (while not trying to bite off my arm) when I walked away from him for a few minutes to get something. When I got back I saw that he was about to lay down and roll. Probably not the best idea when he has a saddle on. But rather than freak him out and run at him with flailing arms – yelling get up – I decided to use this opportunity. Instead I approached him slowly (before he rolled onto my saddle is the key here) and offered him a treat. Intrigued Boomer layed there trying to figure out what he was doing to warrant the treat. I gave him a few more rewards then proceeded around to his backside so I could sit on his back. (at which point I yelled to my little sister to get the camera – I never pass up the chance for a good photo). After several minutes (and photos) later I asked him to get up with me on him. I then made a big fuss and gave him another treat.
The goal here was not to teach him that laying down with a saddle on would get him food because I’m sure you can imagine how that will end. The goal was to get him used to having me around while he was in his most vulnerable position and make it a positive experience for him. So that when I do go to officially teach him the cues for laying down he will see it as a positive thing. I also decided to give him a big reward for getting up because I wanted him to know when I ask him get back up there is a reward for that as well. That way just incase our little session prompted him to lay down right again I would have asked him to get up quicker and then rewarded – I really didn’t want him confusing being saddled with laying down.
But – as I suspected – after Boomer got back up he tried a few things to get more treats (offered a few behaviors like giving me a kiss and saying no) but he didn’t think to try laying down again. Which is fine, because I’m not to the point with him where I want him to learn to lay down yet.
Laying down is in Blitz’s and Boomer’s future for sure, Minnow…I’m not so sure. Minnow has a lot more trust issues…and I’m worried laying down will undue a lot of training I have done with him. But perhaps one day we will be able to master this feat. Maybe little brother Boomer can show him that its ok.
