Week 1
This week being our first together has absolutely blown me away. The willingness from these horses is second to none.
This week I started off (on arrival) by inviting Domino to connect with me using hay and a pressure and release system. It was evident that he was very, very curious of me and was wanting to make friends.
Our second session consisted of touch – starting with the flag and working up to my hand whilst Domino had a nibble on some hay in a hay net. I got a halter on Domino this session and had lots of positive interactions with him. We begun our halter training which Domino took to like a pig in mud, even having the courage to step outside his yard and follow me onto the arena for a hand walk.
Third session consisted of pretty much repeating session two, as well as worming Domino which he took like a champ despite the funny taste.
Fourth session was our first session without food. We worked on haltering, leading and some desensitising with the tarp followed by our first session of being tied up.
Fifth session consisted of some hand walking around the property, meeting our goat and heading up and around the house to go up and down the steps – working more on trust and helping Domino to find comfort in me in different/all situations and environments, again without food.
During Domino’s sixth session we had a play with the roller on whilst being ponied by another horse in the round yard as well as being rugged for the first time.
This little fella is truly something special!
We had an awesome week this week getting to know each other a little bit, looking forward to the rest of our journey together.
Bring on week #2!
Week 3
Domino and I have had a great past two weeks.
We have spent time getting to know each other more, working on picking up all four feet and even had his first trim and had his teeth done and sheath cleaned. We have made a start on getting Domino used to the hose, working more on the mouthing process – flexing, lateral flexion, long reining as well as more desensitising, a start to lunging, pole work and a start to yielding on the ground. Domino is now confidently self loading onto our float and we had the Geelong Advertiser come out and do a story on us. Domino also headed out of his yard and into his very own paddock, as well as swapping over onto the CopRice feeds – very exciting! We have started introducing Domino to other people and he is coping with this really well, as well as even trying different treats which is massive.
I am enjoying Dominos curious nature and the bond we have created already.
We are enjoying every moment of our journey together and just cannot get enough of this cool dude!
Week 5
Domino and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together these past two weeks. Our bond is growing stronger by the day and we are getting to know each other well.
Domino had his first round of body work from our sponsor – Jill Steptoe, which was absolutely massive as he has had interactions with other people but hasn’t officially been touched all over by someone other than me. He absolutely loved it and was super brave!
We have been working on the beginning of our ridden work lately which is going really well and I couldn’t be more excited to be beginning our next chapter in our journey together.
We do a lot of hand walking regularly and even headed for a walk in the new estate down the road from us. Domino had the courage to follow me home up our road at liberty and even follow me all the way back into his paddock. This bloke is truly so special!
We have been doing a lot of tarp work lately which Domino is super unfazed by!
Very exciting times ahead.
Week 7
Domino and I have been very busy the past two weeks.
We have done a ton more desensitising and have been working with different obstacles as well as working on new tricks which shows me just how intelligent Domino is – super fascinating!
Domino and I have been on two floated outings now, one to Elcho Park Equestrian Centre (our local pony club ground) and one to the beach. Domino absolutely loooooved the beach! He was more than happy to go into the water and repeatedly roll in the sand – he definitely found his happy place here!
We had a little bit of trouble with our float loading after our first float ride – I actually saw a very stubborn side to Domino which I am trying to channel into and put into positive energy. Domino is now loading confidently again which I am super happy about!
I have been doing lots of ponying Domino off another horse in tarps, through our big grazing paddock, around our property, on our arena, etc which is really working wonders on his forward button.
Domino has also had his second round of body work with our sponsor Jill Steptoe which he responded too extremely well with lots of relaxation and releases.