Training Ike

I’ve been riding Ike for a couple weeks now and he is really broke. When it comes time to ride him I’m always looking forward to it. He has this pitter patter little western jog that is really nice to ride. We’ve been working on transitions within his gaits so I’ve been getting to ride the little jog a lot! Ike is the kind of horse that really wants to please, wants to stay out of your way and get things done the easiest way possible. Once he knows what I’m asking he does it heart and soul. It has been really fun riding him because he likes to do the things that people ask horses to do. He likes to lope slow but he can speed it up. He likes to stop but will go all day. He likes to be soft, he literally likes it. He does it on his own. I’m going to be sad to see Ike go to his next home.

Dry Fork Ike Buckskin Gelding

Tuesday February 16, 2010: I started with Dry Fork Ike, a 2005 buckskin gelding. Ike has been handled on the ground and had some really great ground school techniques applied to him. As I played with him today I focused on requesting a true softness every single time contact was made on the lead rope. This allowed me to attach the rope to Ike’s feet. We progressed quickly and I felt that he gave me a soft feel with a trusting attitude. It was a great experience for both of us.

Wednesday February 17, 2010: Today was the second day playing with Ike, he worked like a real champ today. I focused my attention initially on desensitization Ike to my body. I climbed all over him, switching sides and bends as I went. He softened quickly, giving me the go ahead to saddle him for the first time.I used my lariat rope to desensitize his girth area to pressure, requesting  he yield his feet to the feel on the rope. When he was comfortable, I began with the saddle pad and Ike really enjoyed when I used it as a brush. I progressed with the saddle. Ike was tentative about the noise and feel of the saddle. I waited on him, continuing to desensitize with the saddle and in no time he was saddled. I cinched him up and continued with his ground school. Ike did great with his new experience.

Thursday February 18 2010: Today was the third day I brought Ike out to play. While trying to fall asleep last night I was thinking about Ike. So today I started off with a well plotted plan. I wanted to find out how well I had covered my bases in Ike. I worked through his basic ground school, always asking for a soft yield and connecting with his feet.  I continued with Ike and saddled him again. I then round penned him and revisited my ground school. Ike did remarkably well, passed with flying colors and was a real participant in our time.

Thursday February 25, 2010: Dale had watched my work last week with Ike. He was impressed but he thought I should desensitize Ike some more. I agreed and brought out an old paper feed sack. It was shaped like the end of a broom and I patted Ike all over with it. Ike wasn’t moving around, but he had an involuntary muscle twitch every time the sack landed on him. I continued to pat him until he softened his muscles. I saddled Ike and put his first ride on. He was a gentleman, moved forward softly and followed my energy downwards like a seasoned professional. It was a great session.

Friday February 26, 2010: Ike was nickering when I went to catch him today. I thought it was cute that he was excited to see me. We went to the pen and I saddled him first thing today, with virtually no preparation. He stood on a loose rope with his head dropped. He was really ready to play today and had the perfect mind about him. I rode him again. I’m impressed with how well he moves, soft and flowing, for being such a large fellow. I was trotting him around on a loose rein, just allowing him to move forward and he let out a huge breath, lowered his neck and kept a going.

Saturday February 27, 2010: Today I revisited the desensitization with Ike, he made great progress and hardly flinched at all. I saddled him and rode for most of my time with him. He is just so willing and fun to ride. Its nice to have good horses to work with but Ike really spoils me. It was the perfect ride to end my week in Bellingham on. I can’t wait for Tuesday.

Tuesday March 2, 2010: Ike came in from his two days off with a bright attitude. I played with him in the big outdoor pen in the beautiful sunshine. I saddled and  bridled him to start out. Initially I worked on the reins connected to his feet by sending him forward. I picked up a light feel on the rein, asking for Ike to bring his nose into the pressure and give. Then I would push his hindend to a disengagement. Next I added lowering his head with the pressure, give your nose and lower your ears, disengage. He really let down, lowering his head and relaxing throughout his body. I continued and rode him. He did great.