Breaking Things Down

It's amazing when you really examine any step or goal that we humans would generally consider to be singular, how many actual steps or components are really present within that single task.  This morning was a reminder of that for us.

Today is Cherokee's fourth morning here and our fourth morning introducing him to our routine. We have been unsuccessful thus far engaging him (willingly) into the routine and that is what made us realize this morning that what we view as a singular task in the mornings is in fact no less than several mini-tasks that we need to give Cherokee the chance to adapt to.

First, a primary difference in his morning schedule is not being turned out immediately. This we realize is a big change for him. Our routine is to come in to the stable, turn on the lights, feed morning hay, brush off the morning chips, do a leg massage, fill the water bucket, open the outside doors and then leave them to finish breakfast. Then within an hour we return to halter and then walk outside with a warm up walk and standing grooming session, then turn out.

So we have been coming at Cherokee in the morning, treating the first couple of tasks (feed in stall/brush off/massage) as one task. When all he wants to do is get turned out. So we're backing off the pressure to engage with our normal routine and simply feed him and be quietly present for a bit so that he gets a chance to adapt to the first part of the routine meaning that lights on and humans present does not mean 'turn out'.  When he's well into that groove we'll then 'add' the brush off and see if the massage is accepted then also otherwise we'll split those steps down also.

As for breaking down the turn out steps it's not critical that he's groomed for turn out of course, that's never been the point of doing it, it has more to do with following our lead whether that's to walk or to stand, not to bee line it right to turn out. So while we may not completely modify this set of tasks we can pass on the grooming and exchange it for a period of standing after the walk, increasing the period of time, and adding in the grooming as his acceptance grows.

My intention yesterday had been to start with some introduction of Parelli work with Cherokee in what we call our Parelli Paddock (otherwise known as the, "You're Okay Corral") but again, breaking up what we look at as singular goals down into their actual components, meant that introducing him comfortably to this paddock (his first visit) there took precedence over working with him. His view of the property was different here, his feed options/locations were different here and his nervousness level was high. So I opted to let him just explore the area and I spent non-demanding time with him instead. So now that area should have a neutral and hopefully safe feel to him.

Our main reason for de-chunking these tasks for him is that we are still very unclear about some of his behaviors and are seeing that he very quickly becomes combative, a bit over the top... even more than the situation calls for, and so anything we are asking him to engage in now we want to reduce his dominate/combative response to it. So by baby-stepping these things for him we're hopeful will be the solution.

Oh, on a side note that I'm putting into his training log... 'the carrot stick'... oh dear! He has a huge response to it's mere presence. Though he's never been exposed to one (what our use and purpose with it is in Parelli...) He is very familiar with a riding crop, that has been primarily used as a handling tool for behavioral ground issues and of course the lunge whip for driving so the carrot stick is going to have to become a non-tool for awhile. Instead it will simply be apart of my attire, as much as my hat or jacket are a part of me, but not a part of our work in anyway until he is first curious about it, then comfortable.