I've read a lot about this bamboo pole trick but I've never really thought much about it. But, I was grabbing at straws to find some way to get into Mariah's head.. and figured it was worth a try. I think it was a good gamble.
I put Mariah out into the big pasture for a bit over three months, to give her a break, let her adjust, and hopefully let her make her own decisions.
A few weeks ago I brought her back into the smaller pasture. I've only put her in the round pen twice since bringing her back in, but its going very well. While in the round pen she has learned that she shouldn't turn her bum to me.. if she turns, it has to be inwards.
She will also now approach me outside. Today was great.. I took a treat out and walked out. I was about 6 feet away from her, stopped, and held out my hand. She came to me, took the treat, and stuck around. I am able to pet her nose, but just barely, and lightly. But even with my petting attempts she stays. I'm very excited about really working her again!
I don't have a lot to report with Mariah. I still haven't had a chance to really do anything with her.
I had her in the round pen one day, but because of personal and time issues, had to cut things short. We didn't accomplish anything, but at least it didn't harm anything, either.
Yesterday and today both marked big steps for Mariah.
Yesterday she allowed me to keep my hand on the top of her nose while she ate from the other one. I've been sneaking pets each day, but this is the first time I was able to hold the contact.
Today, she had to come into a stall to eat. She was cautious, but she did come in, and I just sat outside of it and talked to her while she ate.
This is some video from the end of the day.
Yesterday Mariah ate her entire meal from my hand. She's getting braver.. she doesn't have to take one bite and run away anymore. She stands with me the entire time.
Today was the same. I just sat down and started hand feeding her. She even ate from Nick's hand, today.
I also managed to pet her nose a few times, while she ate.
Yesterday I didn't do anything with Mariah, hence, no post.
Today I sat with her for quite a while, with grain bucket in hand. It was a long, tedious process... but she ate from my hand three times! Yaay, I actually got teary!
I did very very little with Mariah today. I sat with her for a few minutes, just letting her get used to me, and I didn't open the gate as far as normal to let her out (she gets put in the corral while I work in the round pen), so she had to walk much closer to me. She ran... but she went. Good enough for me.
I'm in no hurry with her.
Mariah ate breakfast right beside me this morning. I didn't ask her to do anything more than come eat close to me. I spoke quietly, but kept my gaze lowered. She would come eat a few bites and walk away, and then come back for more. She spent a lot of time watching me and trying to figure me out.
After working with another horse, I sat with her, with a little more grain, and held the bucket while she ate a few bites.
Not a big day, but a good one.
