These pages are dedicated to retraining off-track-Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) for dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper and pleasure. OTTBs are kind, sensitive animals who want to bond and please their humans.
The same routine and requests were made at breakfast. I had to teach this morning so my husband fed. He reported Phil did move away from the food dish willingly, but still bobbed his head around when my husband, Dan, attempted to pet his forehead. The head bobbing is not from head shyness, it is from impatience. Dan has implemented a rub on the forehead when Phil acknowledges him (both eyes). I will make sure I follow up the routine and do the same.
It is so important when teaching new tasks (and keeping the old tasks) that everyone who interacts with your horse does the exact same thing. Read more this entry »