At 10:34:35 on 06.11.09, plodalong wrote:
hello.i have just watched a video posted by horsetails, in the viv. horsetails is joining up with her horse lexi.the posting is in the group outside the box,the thread is what training aids do you use.first i would like to thank horsetails for posting the viv and second i enjoyed watching it,i noticed that lexi very quickly gave you the clear signals for join up,and she paid attention to your body language you got the ear locked onto you and she lowered her head bobbing it along the floor.now a question,how often do you do a joinup with lexi? is this usually how you start your play sessions?i went to a monty roberts demo and he took longer to joinup with the horse and changed directions several times before he got the results that you achieved with lexi.i believed that the horse that monty worked with hadnt done joinup with a human before,so do horses get quicker at giving the signals the more they do join up?lastly horsetails i want to tell you that your horse is lovely,and well done for keeping it natural.

At 20:10:16 on 08.11.09, horse tails wrote:
Thankyou for your kind comments, Am glad you enjoyed the vid. As for your question " how often to do join up" I do it very often with lex as its part of our routine for play or work, hes keen to join up as you can see, and often i make him ask to come in a bit longer :) The vid is edited to keep it short. Ive recentley been atempting it outside the pen in a sand menage, and he does the same there, but often runs off and wants to play lol. But we are having fun, ill try and get some more recent vids next time i play with him; if i remember to take my camera.

At 15:17:47 on 16.12.09, karenandco wrote:
hi i have signed up to monty roberts online university it gives you very clear lessons on join up, dually halter etc and in the join up lessons he says that you are only to do this 4-6 times otherwise your horse gets bored of "hearing the same old story" i have to say i would reccommend the online uni course for everyone, so hey just right for christmas pressies it is only $99.99 for the year, which is about £64ish depending on the rate of the doller to the pound, it is cheaper if you only want to do 6 months if you want to do join up more than this why not borrow your friends horse/pony, i'm sure they would be grateful for you helping karen and co

At 12:48:37 on 24.12.09, Flicka wrote:
I don't do join up as such but play the driving and leading game whilst my horse is loose in the school. I was taught this by Caroline Baldock who worked with Monty for years. I put up a lot of different obstacles in the school which I can vary and it seems to keep my very busy mare thinking and occupied! I was taught to do this at walk but she has just started trotting behind me as well when I ask. The only problem I have is that she gets a bit too close to me and I have difficulty getting her to understand that I want her to keep her distance. She is an insecure little mare so it's nice that she finds comfort being with me but I am worried if she spooks that I'll end up like Flat Stanley! Has anyone got any advice? She is very sensitive and easily offended! Oh and by the way when I lead her in her bridle or headcollar I do it the conventional way by her side rather far out in front of her. I don't know if that has any bearing on the situation.

At 17:51:30 on 24.12.09, plodalong wrote:
hello flicka.I would put a long line on her and when she is trotting behind me i would stop quickly flap both my arms like a chicken and go backwards.Therefor she will have to back up. she should quickly learn that you can be unpredictable and may do this chicken dance, and she should then remain at an appropriate distance behind.try it at walk first then at a trot.If you are asking her to walk or trot by your side and she gets too close then i again would put a long line on and wiggle the rope until she moves to a safe distance.or when she even thinks about moving she will learn quickly.Im sure you have already thought that she she may be sensitive but she could also enjoy driving you around.This is the fun part.Bo loves the liberty stuff, wait while you lift your energy ,take a deep breath and pick up a canter gait and she does the same. that is the most wonderful feeling.the coming together of all your hard work when your horse reads your body language and together you are communicating in Equus, Way to go Flicka have fun.

At 16:31:28 on 28.12.09, Flicka wrote:
Thanks Plodalong, that's really helpful. A few days ago I did actually do some more work on the line working on yielding the forequarters and backing up(thanks to Rio Barret book you suggested). When she's free and behind me I do often stop suddenly and make her turn or back up which she responds to but I think I will flap my arms a lot more as you suggest so that she doesn't come too close. It took a while to get her to trot behind me and It was a real breakthrough-can't wait until we can canter!! It's funny but I'll always have one day when it doesn't seem to sink in and I feel like giving up and then the next day she's like oh yeah, I know what you want, I was just pulling your leg! In fact I even had her doing trot circles around me when I asked as if I were lunging her but she was totally free. Just goes to show that you should always keep your cool and never give up doesn't it! Patience has never been my strong point as you can probably tell. Maybe that is why I have a stroppy mare! I will let you know how I get on with the personal space thing and trying canter.

At 18:32:09 on 28.12.09, plodalong wrote:
well done Flicka sounds like your doing a good job.just remember the pareliism. deal with the horse that shows up and dont get mean or mad, which im sure you dont, if things arnt working, leave it on a good note .you can always do it again tomorrow.keep on keeping it natural. if you are having problems ask holistichorsehelp.she is a monty roberts fan and works with him on his demo's she is a physio and her husband is monty's cameraman,she is a nice professional lady.She wont be on much when her poorly foot has healed so take advantage of her while she's here and willing to help.