February 2009
Jacob's last diary was December 2007, the end of a year working with Jacob to train him as a driving donkey. At that time I came to the conclusion that due to his quirky nature and extreme flight instinct his career as a driving donkey was uncertain to say the least.
Jacob has now had a "gap" year, been introduced to a new donkey friend "Reg" and spent hours playing rough and tumble gelding donkey games together. I'm sure this has allowed Jacob to develop as a donkey. Photos in Jacobs gallery.
Over the winter months, however, I've been reintroducing Jacob to various confidence building challenges such as buckets being dragged behind him whilst he walks on, maracas shaking and flapping bags.
In the training environment he really is bomb proof (introduce a farrier well that'a different story - bye Jacob!). I've also been long reining Jacob, and noticed that whilst he still finds having a driving vehicle behind him unsettling (despite loads of work to accustom him to breaching etc) he absolutely adores pulling and working in draught. The harder the pull, the more determined and focused he becomes on the task in hand. I've come to realise that whilst as a carriage driving donkey he has limitations, as a draught animal he is great.
Working with this enthusiasm, I've had a modified agricultural harness made so theres no breaching and I'm continuing to find ways of working him in draught, such as pulling a sledge with feed bags from the car to the feed shed.
Like the rest of the country, we have had snow for several days which presented the ideal opportunity to have fun with Jacob in the new sport of donkey snow bagging, captured for ever on Jacobs gallery!
Hard hat, rope to breast collar held rather than attached to the bag, husband at the ready in case and off we went. Wow, what fun! Ok, may never catch on as a national sport and sitting on a feedbag not ever so back friendly but worth every minute. Just to prove it wasn't a one off, a friend came over and joined in; even with two humans laughing and enjoying themselves, Jacob took his role seriously and didn't put a foot wrong.
What's next? Well I'd love to find a proper donkey split collar and working harness but in the meantime, need any trees cleared, things carried on a sledge or humans pulled through snow, then I know just the donkey for the job - Jacob the wonder donk!
Jacob and herself
These pages are the real life 'as it happens' account of the making of a driving donkey starting with his acquisition in early December:
Large, bored, 6 year old strong donkey gelding seeks working home with other donkeys (preferably mares) to form long term relationship and travel to shows - driving potential offered in exchange for structured training, lots of patience, moments of madness and as much time as it takes.
So the advert might have read if Jacob had written it himself!
Jacob has joined the Maddington Donkeys and though his monthly diaries will attempt to share with you the ups and downs of taking one raw recruit and hopefully training him to become a responsive and willing driving donkey.
To introduce Jacob, he is large (11.1hh) and solid with a great rear end, is eager to do anything to gain attention (ie has attitude) and moves really well. The challenge will be to channel all that energy and busy-ness into working to the instructions of a human. Only time will tell!!
December will be spent allowing Jacob to settle in and introducing Jacob to clicker training, a system of positive reward in response to a desired action from the donkey. Through clicker training, Jacob will learn the commands of 'walk on', 'steady', 'stand', 'come round', 'over', and 'trot'. I'll let Jacob update you on progress against that master plan once he's settled in and writes his first diary entry in January 2007.
December 2007
Life's been a bit hectic for herself over the last couple of months what with the nights drawing in and herself starting a new full time job so I've had some time to think about all I've learnt. All that thinking has not been wasted as herself did have a week's holiday and seemed determined to get me between the shafts before the anniversary of my arrival!!
Well, it has happened!! ? I can now proudly say that I have started my career as a driving donkey and what fun I intend to have. Herself has driven me in the field at walk and trot, and she will make sure there's a photo available for all to see, but let me hand over to herself to tell the tale!!
Jacob came back into work after a couple of months not doing too much due to my other commitments. My weeks annul leave gave a real opportunity to continue with his training and get him into the shafts and driving. All the preparatory work had been done, including Jacob long reining with other half holding the shafts of the exercise cart resting either side of Jacob.
I started by putting him to and long reining him attached to the cart with help at hand in case needed! All was fine, including turning, so the decision was taken to finally drive Jacob.
Days 1 and 2 were great; short sessions at walk with a few strides of trot within the safety of the field.
Day 3, well, all had gone so well that I decided to open the gate between our fields to give a longer distance for walking and trotting. With hindsight, not a good move!! In true Jacob fashion, things were not to go as predicted.
Walk was fine but trot somehow became canter then flat out; donkey heading towards the sheep shelter!!
Would Jacob stop NO!! (well, not until the sheep shelter loomed close!)
In stopping and turning Jacob unfortunately managed to break a shaft tip but was none the worse for his experience and I was fine (if not annoyed with myself for asking just that little bit too much).
I've long reined Jacob again since then with the help of himself walking holding the cart so the shafts lay either side of Jacob, but not actually attached to him without any problem. I will continue over winter driving Jacob within the safety of the field and see how he does.
Certainly the experience of being behind Jacob driving was amazing in the power and enthusiasm he displays.
Will he make a driving donkey ? I really don't know due to his quirky nature.
If worried, he still puts his tongue over the bit which makes communication, particularly stop - difficult.
He still lacks confidence in certain situations, such as having strange people around him or experiencing new situations and his default remains - charge off and ask questions later?!!
Not really what any sane person asks for in the ideal driving donkey!! It will be some time before I'm willing to trust Jacob to driving outside the safety of our field, but will continue to work on his confidence (which has improved beyond all recognition) and see how he does over time. Long reining out and about will continue in order to meet new people and situations.
How long will I give him, well he's a loveable rogue and what's the hurry!! Watch this space ? one day we may make it to not just a long reining class at a show but a driving class too!
Jacob and herself
September 2007
Ok, so there's no diary for August, but hey, have I got something to write about now!!
Herself has been busy over the summer getting T&C ready for various shows so attention has been off me for a while. I?ve found though, that by pestering herself for attention, I did finally get to have some time with herself even if it was only to trot up and down the field long reining. Herself is waiting for a friend to help with putting me to, but I'm told it should be soon! Anyway, that will be another day's tale.
My excitement this last weekend started on late Friday afternoon when herself suddenly appeared with buckets of warm water. Before I knew it, I was covered in water and shampoo. Now I knew not to worry as I'd watched T&C having a bath the previous weekend, and they didn't bother about it at all. Herself had also given me the chance during the week to go into and out of the trailer on several occasions so I should have realised that something was up! I spent the night with a rug on and felt so grown up that I thought I'd better not take it off, something that herself seemed really pleased about. Anyway, sure enough, Saturday morning into the trailer I went and off we set for my first big show!
We arrived in plenty of time so I could get used to all the noises and people. I was a little worried by the noise from the public address at first, but herself reassured me that there was nothing to be worried about and I soon settled down. There were lots of other donkeys there and I went into three classes altogether. In my first class I couldn?t work out what the judge had on her head, and was a little worried by two judges with funny hats touching me at the same time. By the second class I worked out that judges were ok and herself seemed really pleased when I was presented with a rosette and a picture of a cup to collect! I looked hard at the picture but couldn't see what all the fuss was about as the cup didn't seem to contain any food nor was I allowed to eat the picture!
I wish T&C could have seen me with all my rosettes.
My last class was long reining up against some real pros. I have to admit, whilst walking around the ring I was rather distracted by one of the groups of spectators who opened their rucksack just as I reached them. I'm sure they were going to give me something to eat, but herself firmly said "no" so that was the end of that. Every time we went past that group I looked to see whether they'd found anything for me, but herself was adamant that I wasn't to stop. She can be a real spoil sport at times ? I'm sure the spectators were really on my side! With quite a big class, and a lot of standing around (something I'm really rather good at now!) getting going again was a bit much (and I was tired) but I went round the cones and did a figure of eight. However the pros did better and I came fourth overall.
Herself was really pleased though with how well I took everything in my stride and also loaded without problem for the journey home. T&C were sort of pleased to see me home but were quickly bored by my tales of fame and fortune ? just as well diary I can tell my tale here. Jacob
July 2007
Herself is not keen on getting wet, and with all the rain we've had over the last month, my driving training has somewhat slowed down.
Herself had planned, with the help of a friend to get me actually have me 'put to' this month, but every time a friend was available, it rained!! During the occasional breaks in the rain, I have been long reined with the friend pulling the cart, starting at a distance from me, gradually coming closer and then walking behind me.
The next stage will be for the friend to hold the cart by the shafts with the shafts resting either side of me whilst I walk on. I've already been introduced to the feel of just the shafts with herself touching me all over my sides, back and rump with the shafts so that?s no problem. I've also been to another show, which I did find a bit unnerving as this one had lurcher racing next to the donkey ring ? at one point I confess I forgot myself, panicked and ran off leaving herself looking really embarrassed calling "loose donkey".
Herself has also been gradually introducing me to a bit. I've had a chance to try allsorts of different bits and have been really lucky in that herself has tried to understand why I've reacted to the bits as I have. The straight bar butterfly Pelham that T&C use looks really good, but I found it too restrictive on my tongue and so kept putting my tongue over the bit. I've tried several other bits, but eventually herself came up with a Wilson snaffle. I think it's great it's got room for my tongue, sits well in my mouth and I'm happy with it. Herself really wants to drive me bitless, but because I'm so strong, herself says I need to be able to accept a bit. I have to say, herself has been amazed at my choice of bit and at how well I go in it. I'm hoping herself will let me go to a training event being held locally at the end of July if so, I might see you there! Jacob
1st June 2007
I did it!! I went to my first show and made all sorts of new friends both human and donkey.I had a wonderful day out.
Herself was delighted by the way that I took everything in my stride, although to be honest, I was so fascinated by everything that was going on that I could only stand and stare. I was amazed at the sight of my donkey friend Frosty competing in the jumping class against lots of small ponies and even the commentator mentioned my name and involvement through watching!.
There was a warm up session before the class, and someone suggested to herself that I might like to have a go ? well herself is game for anything and so before I knew what was happening I found myself approaching a pole at trot (the pole being just off the ground).
Being new to this game I went over the jump employing the 'one foot of the ground at a time' technique although later watching Frosty I realised that I was meant to take two feet of the ground at the same time and then become air bourne ! you'll recall from my earlier diaries that I need as many feet as possible on the ground to stay upright so might need more practice at this!!
Herself was really pleased with the way I took it all in my stride, and I was so proud to be able to show off my rosettes to the other donkeys there. There?s no stopping us now ? I?ve got another show in June and one in July!
My long reining is going really well and I can now turn when asked to (although the temptation to just change course a bit to chase one of the resident sheep is sometimes too good an opportunity to miss!) If you turn to my Jacob's Gallery you will see the photo of me taken at the show. Herself is going to take some more of me doing all the various things that I have described in my diaries so you can see them there at a later date. Once it stops raining and herself has enough other human help to hand, the next adventure for me will be to be 'put to' in the exercise cart.
Then I can really say I?m a driving donkey.Jacob
8th May 2007
I've finally made it out and about!!
I've been in the pony trailer to visit a friend and her donkeys, and I've been for various walks around the village. With all the practising that I'd been doing, going into the trailer was no problem and I travelled really well. I hadn't realised how tired I'd be keeping my balance in the trailer even with herself driving really carefully, and admit to going to bed really early after my journey!
I'm still working at changing direction sometimes whilst being led and sometimes long reining; going around cones placed randomly around the field. I still can't see why I can't just pick them up if they're in the way ? why bother to go round something when it could be moved?
Herself is a real spoil sport sometimes!
Going out and about, herself is now trying to get me to walk on with my head up rather than sniffing the ground to check on what might have been dropped on the road. Herself keeps telling me that I need to look where I'm going ? mind you she does have a point after I fell up the footpath having tripped over a raised bit. I tried to pretend that I had intended to trip, but herself saw right through the excuse!
To help me think about where my feet are, herself has had me walking over and between poles on the ground. Takes some concentrating on my part I have to say. Herself says I need to do lots more walking out, changing direction and generally listening to commands before I'm ready to be 'put to' a vehicle. The temptation to just give it a go must be really hard for herself to resist, but she insists that I need to be ready before she'll do it.
My first big moment will be on the 20th May when I'm going to my first ever donkey show in the condition and turnout class followed by the gelding class. It's all part of building my confidence and getting me to accept new things. Wish me luck !
I'll let you know how I got on next time I write.Jacob
3rd April 2007
Well things have slowed down a bit over this last month as herself has been giving some time to T&C the other donkeys ? given me a bit of a breather.
I'm still working on accepting different things happening around me which most of the time is ok, but I have to say that the sight of herself riding her bicycle around my field was a bit much! Even T&C had a good look. It's all part of introducing me to new things and I am learning to be much calmer now.
My real excitement for the month was when herself bought home a new synthetic driving harness for me to try on, (although I wasn't allowed to hold onto any of the harness in my teeth in case any of it had to be changed for a different size). If your human does get you a driving harness, make sure they buy one from someone who understands that us donkeys are not pony shaped and that it is unlikely that a pony harness will fit without some adjustment. To give you an idea of how different we are (although, apparently even for a donkey, I am a very odd shape), my bridle will consist of; cob size headpiece, cob size browband, cob size throatlash, pony size cheek pieces, full size noseband. The main harness will be; shetland size saddle, girth and breeching, full size crupper, pony size breeching straps and pony size reins!!
See what I mean, - we're all unique. Moving in straight lines is really my preference, but herself continues to try to encourage me to bend by long reining me around cones placed some distance apart.
Just when herself thinks I'm beginning to respond I do a quick stop and pick the cone up in my teeth! Got to keep my human on her toes!
The other thing that I have been working on is trotting on whilst long reining for longer periods without stopping. Herself was really pleased with me the other evening when I managed a really long trot all round the field. Mind you just before that, I'd got really jealous of the fact that T was having all the attention, so when it came to my turn tried ever so hard to do what herself wanted. Even himself was impressed.
Well I hope to be able to report that I am wearing my new harness in my diary for next month then the real work will begin! Jacob
1st March 2007
This learning stuff just seems never ending!!
Just when I think I've got the hang of something, along comes another challenge that herself has invented!! I'm beginning to develop more confidence and have really got the hang of basic voice commands, still working most of the time in my knotted rope head collar off a 10 foot lead rope. I've not run off at all this last month ? what an achievement; herself is so pleased with me!! To continue boosting my confidence, herself has asked me to walk over all sorts of different surfaces such as a tarpaulin on the ground, initially folded quite small, and as my confidence has increased, walking over bigger areas of tarpaulin until I could manage the whole thing unfolded. I've also walked through plastic milk bottles spread out on the ground, and past umbrellas and other strange brightly coloured objects. Each time herself has given me something new to take on, I've been given time to look at the new thing and been asked to walk towards it and around it at a safe distance, then walked away from it and gradually getting closer until I've been able to touch whatever it is. My next challenge will be drain covers although apparently that requires himself to move his car before I can practice! Whilst I've been long reining and walking on, I've learnt to accept the feel of rope round my hind quarters as herself has allowed the long reins to touch my hindquarters and drop down by my hocks. To help me relax and accept a crupper, herself has been 'playing' with my tail whilst I've been standing in the yard, gently stroking downwards from the top of my tail to encourage me to relax my tail. I can really recommend this as therapy, especially after a hard days work, although I think herself finds it as sensual as I do! Now that I'm confident with the noise of buckets being pulled around me, herself has found an old tyre which she pulled around the yard, initially at a distance, asking me to stand, and praising me for standing. As my confidence increased, herself pulled the tyre closer to me. Once I was happy with that, herself asked me to walk on, still in the enclosed yard, and as I walked on, herself pulled the tyre and walked with me. Yes, I admit it was scary at first, but with understanding and patience, I'm proud to say that I can now pull the tyre myself. To do this safely, herself attached a 20 foot rope from one side of my breast collar to the other to form a big loop behind me. Working with a friend holding a second rope attached to the tyre threaded through the rope attached to my breast collar, meant that if I got worried all the friend had to do was let go of the end of the rope attached to the tyre and I became free of the tyre. Walking around pulling the tyre has got me used to the feel of the rope touching my sides and hind quarters as well as used to pull on my breast collar. Prior to pulling the tyre, the friend held the end of the rope attached to my breast collar, standing a safe distance behind me and slightly to one side, giving a pull on the rope as I walked forwards. At first, I thought the pull on my breast collar meant for me to stand still, but with lots of encouragement from herself I soon got the hang of the new game. The best fun was pulling the friend up a step slope with herself shouting 'big pull'. I'm still practicing subtle changes in direction, walking round cones with herself using small 'pulls' on the bitless bridle reins to ask me to 'come round' one way and then immediately to 'come round' the other way - wish herself would make up her mind as to which direction I'm meant to be going in! I have to admit, I'm much better at straight lines than turning.
My final excitement this last month has been a visit from a family with children who came to see herself to get some ideas on what they could do with their donkeys. I admit that I found it quite a lot to take on, all the sudden movement of the children in the background made me a little worried at first. I did eventually overcome my anxiety to show what I had been doing, and to give someone else a chance to long rein me. I tried very hard to do my best, especially as T&C were watching and T had already given a demonstration of what a well behaved donkey can do ? one day I'll show T what a real working donkey can achieve, just you wait and see Jacob
February 2007
Well, with herself back at work, training has eased off a bit and been limited to short sessions at the weekends.
Having now been with herself a couple on months, it seems my human is beginning to work me out (although sometimes I can still catch her unawares ? got to keep her on her toes!). I'm gradually being transformed from a 'push and shove' merchant to quite a pleasant big donkey ? or so herself says. I've decided though that I'll never give up my 'holding onto the head collar with my teeth' trick, regardless of what my human thinks!!
Whilst I might be big and pushy, I do lack confidence particularly when things move suddenly or there are sudden noises. Herself understands this, and has been gradually introducing me to different sights and sounds within the safety of the yard area. She has an old bucket that she started kicking around at the far side of the yard, well away from where I was standing loose. I'm now used to that, and am able to cope with the bucket being kicked gently closer to me. I think herself has a thing about buckets, as she's also been pulling a bucket around on a lead rope, again at a distance until I was happy, gradually coming closer. I've done so well on this, that herself can know pull three buckets tied together and I'm happy to follow them just to see what herself is up to!
Through clicker training, herself has also given me the confidence to walk increasingly closer to a flapping tarpaulin and eventually stand by it for some time. Boy was that scary when I first saw it! Another game we've played is walking over different surfaces, although I think it fun to test things first by pawing the surface before going over it. Herself was really pleased with me last weekend when I walked, without a second thought, over an old door lying on the ground rewarded by a click and a small piece of ginger biscuit!
I now realise that I don't get any titbits from herself unless I hear a click and will now gently take a small piece of biscuit from herself when I hear a click sound without devouring half her hand! I've also practised walking into and out of the trailer, all part of me learning to go where herself directs me.
I hope soon to be loading and unloading well enough to go out and about once my confidence improves a little more. I know I'm rather large, and that when it comes to a direct pulling competition, that herself has no chance of turning or stopping me!! Herself seems to know that turning me by trying to bring my head round using force is pointless!! Instead, I'm now working in a knotted rope head collar attached to a 10 foot lead rope and herself asks me to turn by gently applying intermittent pressure to my head collar, at the same time swinging the end of the rope towards my hindquarters to cause me to step away with my hindquarters and so turn. All this is done to the command of 'come round'. Herself also asks me to 'come round' before opening or closing gates so I don't get ideas about going off straight for home.
To keep her on her toes, I've managed to run away from herself several times now during enthusiastic trotting or when something makes me jump -like himself who seems to appear out of nowhere!! All my training so far has taken place in the safety of home fencing and will continue to do so until I am more confident for new situations. Despite this, herself seems really pleased at how I'm doing, and my walking out has improved by herself swinging the end of the 10 foot rope at my nose if I try to push and shove when walking and trotting. Even thought the lead rope does not touch me, the swinging stops me barging! Herself asks me to 'Trot on' sometimes for a short distance, sometimes for longer distances, after each asking me to 'steady', 'walk on' and then 'come round' and 'whoa'.
Last weekend, I was doing so well that herself felt enough confident in me to listen to commands that she led me around 'Dingley Dell', a small wooded area in our field and asked me to trot up the hill and through the trees to jump over a small fallen tree trunk ? ok it was only knee high but wow what fun! Herself said I looked like a hippopotamus jumping although herself wasn't exactly looking the picture of health and was puffing more than me after the trot up the hill ? I'll soon have her fit!
Herself has continued with a few short sessions of long reining but using the knotted rope headcollar with two ropes attached as reins rather than the a bridle. The knotted rope headcollar means that herself can give a verbal command plus very gentle, subtle intermittent pulls on the reins to ask me to respond with minimum force. I do have to concentrate, but herself gives me warning that something is about to change by saying my name and 'ready' before 'walk on' and 'trot on' and 'steady' before 'whoa' and 'stand?. Herself is really funny when she says 'ready' as she says it with real enthusiasm whereas 'steady' is said in a calming way. Before asking me to go backwards, she says 'gently' again calmly, and uses tiny pulls on the reins which she stops doing as soon as I move back. Herself also releases the reins as soon as I'm standing so I know that I have to stand and wait until she picks up the reins again.
What a lot a lad has to learn! I've also learnt to go backwards on the command of 'gently, back' whilst herself stands at my front and applies pressure to my chest.
Well, I'm really glad I've got my diary, as writing it I can't believe what I've done through just short sessions at weekends. Remember, though that what has worked for me may not be right for other donkeys as we are all different, but I hope my diary may give other owners ideas as to how to help their donkey become willing, confident driving donkeys. Jacob<
January 2007
Well it's hard to believe that I've now been in my new home for 4 weeks, and a busy 4 weeks it's been too and how life has changed. Through my diaries I'll share with you what I have learnt (although remember, that what has worked for me may not be right for other donkeys as according to herself, I'm solid, a bit of a thug and sometimes need firm handling).
Let me introduce the family, there's herself, the big boss who has definite ideas about what I can and can't get away with and the other donkeys (T&C) who took some getting used to. C made it very clear from the beginning that she was boss donkey. I still have to ask before I go past her otherwise I get 'the look'!
Chickens and cats still make me jump when they suddenly move, and I really can't understand what sheep do; (between you and me they look like they could give a nasty nip to my heels if I let them close enough). Herself won't let me play with the sheep yet as she says I'll be too rough with them. There's also himself who is a bit of a soft touch compared to herself and is good for a rub on the nose when he's passing.
It's been a busy Christmas period as herself has been on holiday and I seem to have been the centre of her attention.
Now I think I'm pretty smart for a donkey, and have spent time teaching myself various tricks to entertain. Grabbing the headcollar in my mouth as it goes over my nose is a favourite, second only to holding the lead rope as I'm lead! Does herself appreciate this? ? no, completely wasted on her, in fact she growls 'leave it' at me.
I've learnt I get praise when I don't help so have given up. The other thing I did try was the 'lean on the human trick' big mistake trying it on herself; much easier to just walk alongside, otherwise herself gets really grumpy and growls!
I also failed at trying to run away when herself came to take me out of the field - she just came with me, told me to trot on, waving her arms around like some sort of out of control windmill!! Well I'm not that fit and a boy can only keep that up for so long so a real relief when herself eventually said steady, whoa and stand (and I got a cuddle for being good and standing!!)
Herself has introduced me to clicker training ? I had to touch a plastic lid, herself made a clicking noise and I got a piece of ginger biscuit!! Seemed like a great game, particularly the biscuit. I did get a bit over excited over the biscuit part so it seems that herself decided that I got a rub on the neck instead of a biscuit after the click sound for a while.
I have learnt new tricks which thinking about it are probably better that the old one. When herself says 'ready' and then 'walk on',I now know to move forward (sometimes with a bit of a shove from herself, but I wait intentionally for a reaction!). With the guidance of herself, I know that 'steady', 'whoa' and 'stand' means I come to a halt and results in a cuddle and lots of praise and that 'come round' and 'back' means a change of direction. I've also managed to 'trot on' with herself running slightly in front of me (to give me something to aim for I suppose)! Worth the effort to hear that click and get more biscuit!
For something different, herself appeared one day pulling behind her a thing on two wheels that rattled a lot ? worried me no end until I realised that herself was not being attacked by the wheels. Herself let me have a go at standing between the shafts facing the wheels so that I could touch the plastic lid which was on the seat - and yes she made that click noise and lots of praise (and I got a bit of ginger biscuit again). Once I was happy with that, she took the shafts off the wheels and asked me to stand whilst she touched me with the shafts on various parts of my body; each time I stood still she clicked and I got a bit of biscuit ? how easy is that; shame she got bored before I did!
One day herself and a friend spent ages putting black harness on me? obvious that it belonged to the girls as herself laughed and said I looked like something wearing an elastic band. I tried to help by holding onto loose ends in my mouth but that effort was not appreciated by herself at all. The breeching on my hind quarters was a bit scary at first, but after I'd stood a short while with my tail between my legs ready to run in case the breeching attacked me I realised that it was ok.
Herself says I'm doing well and I really don't know what I was bothered about with the breeching which apparently goes over my hind quarters, around the back of my legs and under my tail - hey, look at me, no problem with any of that now.
It seems that herself is getting tired of walking at my shoulder and has now replaced my headcollar with a bitless bridle (so that my mouth doesn't get hurt if I don't quite understand what herself is doing) and I've started something called longreining.
The first time herself stood by my ribs, but after a couple of sessions, herself is now behind me and I can walk on, come round, and whoa to stand to voice command and herself using the reins. I'm learning to listen to herself and am becoming more tuned into gentle pressure from the reins. I will admit that at first herself had to be quite explicit about what she meant and sometimes pull quite hard!!
I'm enjoying all this learning, and look forward to the next month, although herself is back at work now so I'll only have a training session at the weekends.Jacob
