At 10:06:53 on 19.05.09, plodalong wrote:
hi everyone just thought i would tell you all that i have just learnt somthing . Bojangles has always snatched at the grass on our way backwards and forwards to the paddock. I tried the parelli way of fixing the problem, that was to first smooch to bo then give him a fflick with the leadrope increasing the flicking untill Bo lifted his head and i got his attention. It got to the point where i gave up because i felt that the flicking had become hitting and bo then got a little anxious trying to defend himself by turning his butt to me and attempting to kick out.I have just read a book written by Mark rashid. He was telling a story about a horse that was displaying the same behaviour.Marks way of fixing it was to tap the horse on his nose with his boot. Ithought this method sounded a bit harsh. when taking Bo to the field yesterday Bo as usual got his head down in the verge to snatch at the grass, i tapped him once gently with my toe and Bo immediatly lifted his head and walked on.I forgot to say that i offered him the lighter option of a smooch first.Idid it again this morning and got the same reaction. this looks like the way forward for us.Im hoping that just another couple of days and the smooch will be enough.The book was titled Consider the horse. I really enjoyed it.Iam a big fan of PARELLI but just goes to show that other good horsemen have a lot to offer.

At 14:47:20 on 20.05.09, bmc06239 wrote:
I find that no matter what method I'm using and I've tried many...the most important thing I've learned when working my horses is to ask what I know they're able to do and not take no for an answer. I've trained many years in martial arts, there I learned to use verbal judo to control my opponent. It involves both physical and verbal commands. It's a mind set. You project to your opponent that you are in control. Your emotions must be in check. Your breathing and body movements controlled. You react to your opponent with a plan and a goal, never recklessly. plodalong: I think you finally decided that your horse's behavior was unacceptable to you, the new approach gave you a new tool but it is the mind set that will enable the tool to continue to work without having to escalate.

At 14:58:35 on 20.05.09, plodalong wrote:
good advice bmc.thank you i will bear that in mind.

At 01:09:13 on 24.05.09, The Practitioner wrote:
I am a great admirer of Mark Rashid plodalong, do you have many of his books?

At 11:43:14 on 24.05.09, plodalong wrote:
no this is the first one ive read. i really enjoyed it, marks writes in a story form so even if you didnt prctice nh his book will entertain you i checked with the library but no luck there. i will check out amazon for some more.