Apollo's Journey: Week 4 Progress and Training
Apollo's fourth week of training marks significant progress in his journey from wild instincts to trust and cooperation. This week, Apollo worked on leading, grooming, and building a stronger bond with his trainer. Despite challenges, each day brought new achievements and moments of connection.
Saturday, February 15, 2014:
Today was very windy. I opened the area that Apollo is staying in to give him more room for leading exercises. I tried to groom him, but he wouldn’t let me touch near his tummy with the brush yet. We played with a second halter to get him used to having it put on his face (he still had the original halter on at the same time). I was able to put the noseband on, but he wouldn’t let me put the rope around his head/neck area. We worked with the stick and string and slapped the ground near him with medium intensity. I touched his front feet with the string, which is a first. Apollo popped his butt at me again, but he wasn’t very threatening and only tried it once. I felt both upper canines, which have not yet broken through the tissue. The halter is rubbing his hair on his nose where the knots are rubbing when he steps on the rope. I am going to try to work with the halter so we can most likely change it out to a different one, however, he does not seem real excited to let me put a different one on his head. It seems when I scratch his forehead, Apollo seems to relax and drop his head easily, but he doesn’t always let me get to his forehead without holding him with the lead rope. Apollo also seems very good with being touched in most areas with the stick.
Sunday, February 16, 2014:
Today we worked on several things – leading, lunging, desensitizing, and working a little bit with a different person. Although we have done all of these things, it was all new and at a different level than previously performed. Apollo was led out of his area into a different pen where we worked on lunging and changing directions. After that, we desensitized to the string slapping the ground near him, and then Apollo was led out into the main area of the corral. He was a little excited with the lunging at first, but once he figured it out he calmed right down. The leading was awesome! Apollo barely hesitated and worked with me and my husband. My horses get a small amount of feed at night, and when I was in the yard and feeding, Apollo approached me and gave me a kiss on his own accord. He is getting more comfortable with our interaction, although I still have to approach at his speed. Additionally, over the last two days, Apollo meets and greets me at the gate and will touch me with his nose. What a great way to start the day!
Monday, February 17, 2014:
This evening I spent a good amount of time rubbing Apollo’s face. I moved the halter around his face to try to get him used to it being put on/off. He did well, but I was only rubbing the halter he is wearing while it is on his face. I also approached and scratched him without using the rope. As long as I do not “rush” him, he does well once he figures out that I am just doing more of what we have been doing for the past month.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014:
Apollo worked in the small pen with lunging, changing directions, and slapping the round. Apollo did a really good job coming to me when he was asked. He did this by using the lead rope to bring him to me. Apollo remembered our lessons earlier in the week and did very well repeating what he learned.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014:
Today was a shorter session together so we worked on familiar things. Apollo approached me with and without using the lead rope several times. I think he is getting more and more comfortable and trusting. Additionally, I enjoyed our time getting many horse kisses. What a great way to spend my evening!
Thursday, February 20, 2014:
Our training focused on getting Apollo more exposure to grooming. Although he “tolerates” it, he does not seem to enjoy it. Therefore, I want to get him more accepting of grooming, and may try different brushes to see if he likes some more than others. Grooming was performed while holding and not holding the lead rope. We worked on approaching and touching many times and rubbing lower on his tummy. The lead rope was also removed from his halter. I want to get him more accepting of having it put on and off the halter.
Friday, February 21, 2014:
Today was a nice day. We had to use the small area to put the rope back on the halter in order to work. I walked Apollo around the corral on the lead rope; I am pleased with how well he leads. Today was a review of training – leading, approaching, touching, grooming, etc. Now that he is leading well and has been introduced to other areas of the corral, we can start working to take his training to another level.
Thankfully, I am permitted to work with Apollo for additional weeks. I am very excited to be able to continue our time together and am confident he will make strides in his progress. It seems like he is continuously taking forward steps and improving; even if they are baby steps, for this horse they are hugely difficult and against all the survival instincts he has used living on the range. I am so honored to be involved in this process and part of his training.