[jen judkins]

@Robert MoonShadow 16535 wrote:

Also, Jen – how much would you estimate that weighs, total?

I’d say it probably weighs 200 lbs or so, give or take. I can flip it over without much effort…its just awkward. I can drag it short distances too on the flat, but it feels like hard work and I wouldn’t drag it more than a few yards without getting the big boy involved;)

[jen judkins]

@Carl Russell 16521 wrote:

This way he will not only become strong enough to move the weight, but he will learn that he has the permission to apply as much power as he needs.

I’m still feeling sort of euphoric about our accomplishment yesterday and as usual I have been rewinding and reviewing events so I can remember and learn from them. Carl, I like your reference to ‘escalating intention’. That was what I was lacking in our first attempt. In retrospect, I think Reno was stopping to look at me to say…’do you really want me to do this?’ and I was sort of non-committal. Yesterday, I clearly said, ‘YES, I do…go, go, go’. The effort required to move the log was fairly explosive, in a controlled way but it was alittle surprising to me. The first time we started the load, I was a split second behind his energy. With each successive start, we both improved and got in synch with each other. Very empowering for both of us.

Thanks again everyone, appreciate the feedback and encouragement. This is a great classroom! Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

They look awesome, Ed. Hey, call me when you guys are doing some mowing…I’d love to come over and give it a try.

[jen judkins]

Thanks for the replies, and the encouragement, guys!

I made another attempt at the tree after work tonight. Armed with a new plan. I figured my original attempt failed because of two things. First I didn’t have a good enough knowledge of the techniques required to move logs (thanks for the patient, non-condescending comments :)). Second, I approached the problem with alot of doubt. I wasn’t sure Reno could do it and my skepticism made me a poor leader. The first problem was obvious to me as soon as Mitch provided me with a different approach. The second, I came to in a round about way. Reno is not a ‘balky’ horse. He has always put everything he has into anything I have asked him to do, despite occasional displays of anxiety. So I had to assume the error was mine.

So we approached the log and I got Reno hooked on, going 90 degrees like you suggested. It took two tries but it swung loose and we were off! What an adrenalin rush! Why would anyone log with a tractor!

I stopped him to rest twice on the 100 yard skid, which was a gradual up hill climb. I really didn’t want him to stop on his own and not knowing what he was really capable of, I opted for stopping more frequently. Besides, I wanted to practice starting the load, which seems to be the hard part. After the first stop, I was afraid he wouldn’t get it going again. He was lunging into the collar to get it started (I know that’s poor technique). So I stopped him and pushed him forward one step at a time and off we went…it was a thing of beauty! After the second rest, he had it down and he smoothly picked up the load up the last hill into the driveway. I don’t think I’ll be giving this one to the neighbor…feels too much like a trophy now:D. I think I’l chop it up for my outdoor kitchen this summer.

The photos not great. I was by myself and its of one of our rest stops, but its evidence of our accomplishment:p I measure the tree…17.5 feet long and 18 inch diameter.

As my friend, Andre would say…’you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face with chlorox!’

[jen judkins]

Honestly, its impossible to say whether it is a good deal or not. It may be a good deal to you, and that may be all that matters. Personally, your quarterhorse sounds very valuable. I certainly wouldn’t even consider trading or selling my saddle horse. After 10 plus years of my blood, sweat, and tears, his value to me cannot be measured and he is therefore unsellable :rolleyes:. I certainly don’t feel that way about all my horses, but again, its a very personal thing…assigning value to an asset.

If memory serves, your clyde cross is young and untrained? I would be careful about taking on another green horse, particularly if you are still on the learning curve as a teamster. Just yesterday, I was thinking how lucky I am to have a seasoned horse to work with….he’s a real confidence builder. For me, until I feel like I ‘been there, done that’ like your saddle horse, I won’t be taking on any green draft horses. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

@Stella 16451 wrote:

“when in doubt, just pretend that you are making progress”

Stella…that is a very nice quote….I hope you don’t mind if I use it 😀

Maxwell, you are off to a great start! When training or retraining any horse, make sure the new lesson links to the last in a way the horse understands. Build trust by staying consistent and reliable. Horses cue into that big time. These horse are lucky to have you in their corner! Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Tim, I admire your humility and ethics as a student. Horse are very forgiving, particularly to those with an open heart and mind. You will be just fine. Look forward to hearing of your successes with your new team!

[jen judkins]

OldKat, I got the tires from a tire dealer who split the tires to prevent them from being used. As far as I can tell they are split down the middle. I pulled them from a pile of split tires a mile high.

Max, is the dog. Rescue…young…getting close to the best dog I ever had…we’ll see how that turns out, lol!

[jen judkins]

I finally built my tire harrow… I know some of you don’t like the idea of dragging rubber across my fields but it feels green to me. The tires were free and would have ended up in a dump somewhere…polluting someones else’s soils and water. The hardware cost me less than 20 bucks. Can’t beat that.

[jen judkins]

I agree with Grey. The chain is only really good at negative reinforcement, which will work only to a certain extent. If you want your horse to consider you as leader, you must be able to provide both negative and positive feedback. Its sometimes subtle, but it is the difference between a horse you can ‘manage’ and one that can do anything you ask.

BTW, positive reinforcement is different for different species. Dogs like a pat on the head, people a pat on the back….horses like quiet…an absence of pressure. So don’t feel you need to speak to your horse or touch him to provide positive reinforcement. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

@Theloggerswife 16309 wrote:

Jen ~ keep me on the short list for a couple of ducks if you end up with any hatched out this year.

You betcha! Both girls have picked out roosting spots, so it shouldn’t be long now before we have our first batch of ducklings….sure sign of spring!

[jen judkins]

@grey 16310 wrote:

I would not recommend using a rope halter under a bridle. Use a flat web or leather halter for that.

If you are referring to my young horse comment….that’s a good clarification. I meant I tend to ride young horses with a halter and single rein (ie. no bridle) for the first few rides.

[jen judkins]

Missy, I would go with the more rigid rabbit wire with the small square mesh (how’s that for technical, lol). I think with the typical chicken wire the openings are too big and might trap a foot here or there. Can’t wait to see it!

[jen judkins]

Just a word about rope halters. I have used them extensively, having been through all three of Pat Parelli’s ‘levels’. That said, I don’t use them as much as I used to. I bring this up as it may have some bearing on your choice of tack, Tim. I find that rope halters have too much ‘bite’ for a really sensitive horse. When you have to get firm with them, they get too much energy from the halter, which can be a distraction to them. Worst case scenario they become dull or anxious about the amount of pressure. I like my horses sensitive, so I try to choose tools that suit the situation. In the case George describes, of a horse that is pushing and pulling on the lead, a rope halter can really help you make an impression on that horse quickly. This is about the only instance I use a rope halter for training purposes nowadays (except for maybe during the first few rides on a young horse before they are ready for a bridle). Once the horse gets the idea that you intend for them to follow the feel of the rope and your direction, and they comply, you probably want to consider the horse’s overall comfort and fit them with a leather or nylon halter.

My favorite exercises for teaching a horse to lead…

For the horse that walks ahead of me, I continue to walk straight but angle toward their haunches and force them to yield their hindquarters away form me. As I keep walking the horse is now on my other side but now behind me. Repeat as often as necessary. It won’t take long for the horse to realize he can conserve some energy by simply walking behind or next to me. This exercise is also good for a horse that is flighty and anxious. It allows them to move their feet but teaches them to yield to the halter pressure in the turns.

For the horse that lags behind, I use George’s technique and tap the horse with a stick behind his shoulder using my outside hand.

Carl is right though, no matter if your horse is fearful or just playng around, you need to figure out how to get him to focus on you. Be consistent, be reliable, get firm when you have to and be sure to relax when you get a good try from your horse. Let us know how it goes.

[jen judkins]

Happy Birthday, Erika! Happy planting…nice thing to be doing this time of year!

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