munchkin1415 wrote:
Is there a difference in moving the horses feet and chasing however? Sure, by sending her off when she turns her rump to me, I am not controlling the direction of her feet, but I am moving her feet. By sending her away, I keep her moving until I decide to stop her feet, by backing off and softening myself. Am I on the totally wrong track with that train of thought?

She does lift her head up and watch me, and usually start a few steps toward me when I enter the paddock, but there is a moment when she decides Im going to try to make her do something she would rather not and off she goes in the opposite direction. Once I try to force the issue "Im going to catch you now", then all her attention goes elsewhere and her eyes are very difficult to get. So I think I need to be less predictable. Just go in and chuck some apples out for her (she will come up for that), give her a pat then walk away. I do need to catch her at some point to lock her up so that she doesnt get as big as a house.



Its almost summer here now Natural, so shes not going to be crazy itchy for a while, unless a tick finds her wink.gif
If you ask her to move several times a day as you interact with her and you ask in such a way that is soft and quiet she will come to expect your requests to be less demanding than if you required large movement.

The space between the two of you becomes smaller and smaller.

Your goal is to get to the side of her neck and then retreat at first.

This method does take longer but the movements are also much more subtle.

It is fine for you to herd the horse as long as it is not hurried and over pressured.

The idea is not to trap or corner but to influence and effect the feet.

Look at what leg has the most weight on it and add just the slightest pressure to get the weight to shift.

Effect a change from a distance.