A recent Facebook conversation about positive reinforcement led to someone asking a question about one of my favorite fallacies – if you comfort a fearful or spooking horse, aren’t you just reinforcing the fear? I first encountered that idea when I started training our dogs, just over twenty years ago. My experience with a variety … More The fearful equine
When you weigh over 1300 pounds, view the world from somewhere north of seven feet, and have feet large enough to serve dinner on, you command a lot of respect. Add to that a genius for picking up on cause and effect, and you can pretty much have your way – especially when your feeble … More Bargaining with Noble
On his visit this week, our farrier declared to my mother that Noble “needs manners!” This declaration followed an ill-advised decision to disregard my mother’s advice, ignore what has worked in the past, and have his assistant catch and hold Noble. The result can best be described as a wrestling tango. In spite of the … More “Needs manners!”
Miss Tally has now been introduced to the bag goblin several times. Each time it’s “new” to her – but she admittedly takes less time to settle each time. But, simply aiming it at a different body part makes it “take a whole new shape”. This will be a long journey with Miss Tally! Feeling … More Personalities “in the bag”
The spooks and goblins have come early to our place this year – only it’s carrots, not candy, that is getting handed out!
I often start several drafts of posts at one time – sometimes they make it in, sometimes I go back and have lost the original inspiration. This one was drafted several months ago … and I had forgotten just how far I’d gone with it. Since I hate to waste anything, here it is. I … More Crime and punishment
Horse Crazy Once Again 