On Saturday, Dutch and Cathy (Brian’s parents) came to town. The primary reason for their trip was to meet Sham and reacquaint themselves with Steen. Brian and I headed to the barn, confident that after our wonderful Thursday everything would go smoothly. Unfortunately, such was not the case. A few things worked against us. First,… Read more »
Sham
A Shock to the System
Thursday’s spook near the gate turned out to be worse than we thought. What actually happened is the charge in the electric wire arced through the puddle, zapping Sham through all four feet. I was fine in my rubber boots. I was lucky in that all the work I did with Sham after that was… Read more »
Double Barn Day
I got back from the barn today and hung around the house for a bit. Then Brian got home, we piled back in the car and returned to the barn. The focus of trip two was Sham. Our plan was to at least put the bridle on and see how he responded. Our hope was… Read more »
Back to Riding
Exactly one week after Sham got his teeth done I decided to see how he liked the bit, and if things went well I hoped for a nice ride, too. He continues to be great coming out of the pasture. He is already in the habit of pooping and then coming up to me. He… Read more »
After the Dentist
While I was up in Wisconsin for the Birkebeiner, Robin graciously took care of Sham for the vet visit (I really have an amazing wife). He was mostly good for the appointment, but still I worried that he would hold onto a few bad memories when I went out to see him next. Afterall, I’ve… Read more »
Home Stretch
Today I took Brian’s new saddle to the barn. It’s just like mine, only black, and we think Sham will look pretty sharp showing it off. I adore mine. Hopefully Brian will like his, too The saddle was not the only reason I headed out there today. When I arrived I got a stall set… Read more »
Friends
Yesterday Brian and I went again to the barn in the afternoon and I gave my well-behaved Steen the day off. Brian and I once again focused on Sham and building positive experiences that involve us and going indoors. Yesterday, we had a great one. Sham left his afternoon snack to meet us at the… Read more »
Continual Progress
Today was the fourth day in a row that I have worked with Sham. In those four days I’ve seen some excellent behavior, some running away, some discomfort, some attempts to please, and now some definite, happy submission to me, the boss. Again Sham came to me in the pasture. He was much friendlier than… Read more »
Praise
Sham is a big, strong guy who is used to a firm hand. And over the past week I have been trying to be that firm hand. The problem is, I don’t send very strong signals (I’m used to working with Steen and Cal, who really don’t respond to a firm hand). Thankfully Sham is… Read more »
Steen the Great
Both days this weekend Brian and I headed out to the barn in the morning. Yesterday things didn’t start off great. Sham decided to give us a bit of a run-around when we went out to catch him and we only succeeded in getting his halter on after coaxing him into the airlock with a… Read more »