Second Day Rope Training

The kids are back in school. That means I have more time for horses!

Sunshine is finally getting some consistent attention. Today was his second time working with the rope. It’s very important to me that horses are comfortable with ropes all over their body and legs. It is prep for that first saddling. Will help them be comfortable being roped off of. And will hopefully help keep them safe if they get tangled in rope or wire.

He has learned his first trick, kiss. And started learning ‘head down’ in the course of this video. Not only can it be a fun trick, teaching him to lower his head will help him be calmer. A lowered head cues the mind to believe the body is calm.

Using head down as a reward for possibly scary learning is resetting him to a calmer mindset after each asking.

Next time I think we’ll add in a blanket and pretty soon start putting a bridle on for him to wear while we ignore it and work on other things.

This guy has such an amazing mind. We’ll be able to zip through these basics so we can spend lots of time on the funner things!