The feature photo is from over 12 years ago – when I first really started to work with Magnum. As you can see he had walked away! We have come a long way since then, but now I was introducing him to a different environment – one that held some bad memories for him.
The title is also a little difficult to write. Success? Death? Is that success? I wondered if I should change it but of course it means – have I done everything to ensure a peaceful calm death? And it refers in training terms to setting the animal up for success – to make the training process as smooth as possible.
Now, back to the story.
The next step in the preparation was to encourage Magnum into the yard area in the paddock.
I headed down to the spot – passing both horses on the way. They followed me down – knowing that yesterday had been rewarding and that they might be in for more fun.
Doug had the yard area set up with a piece of tape across the opening for a ‘gate’. I undid the tape and set it aside. Ducati was into this area in an instant and I asked him to stand near a post.
By that time Magnum had arrived. He stepped towards the entry, not quite sure whether to continue. I gave him a handful of treats and turned back towards Ducati. We did some ‘staying’ practise and then I turned to Magnum who was still at the opening. I beckoned him forward – would he like to come in?
He followed me over to a post and I reinforced him well. Then it was back to Ducati where I spent some time fussing over him. Magnum couldn’t wait any longer and started walking towards me but I asked him to stay put – then reinforced him again. This continued several times – then I gave them the ‘that’s all’ signal and left them to decide whether they wanted to stay there or come out.
I didn’t need to add any more. Magnum has always been a master teacher of thin slicing. I noticed on that day, that while Magnum came into the yard, he was tense. It was a big move on his part. He had learnt from the previous session that I wasn’t going to hurt him – and was keen to follow me in the paddock, but that tension was there. So while this was progress there was still a way to go.
The following day I repeated this – and to my relief the tension had gone. He was happy to be in the yard.
But something was bothering me. The yard Doug had built would not contain Magnum if he took fright. He could end up anywhere in the large paddock and the vet would not be able to get to him.
I needed to get the metal panels into the paddock. That would be a big job.
IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS STORY, PLEASE START AT THE BEGINNING HERE – Part 1 – An Introduction
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