Calming Cues
I’ve been taking advantage of the beautiful weather to get out and play with Harvey. He’s getting calmer and happier every time we work. As with Rusty I’m playing around with adding a calming signal. It can be kind of fun to experiment with cues. See what works and what isn’t as good in the end. With Rusty we are doing the usual rein signal. On Harvey I am installing it on stroking his neck. When horses are nervous we stroke their necks right? It’s probably not as practical as the rein but I can always switch it over if it isn’t working out.
I left in a bit where our stand offish, please don’t touch me horse is laying in to me and enjoying a wonderful scratch! Such big changes.