Day One

I didn't get this blog started until Day 3, so let me catch you up a little bit today. These are more for an assignment than they are a blog, and the point of the assignment is not to write down what you did that day, but to write down what you were thinking when you did it. If explanation is needed for the blog, I'll amend it a bit.

Day One – March 13, 2007
Well, here we go. At first, I chose to observe the mustang’s first interactions with the girls when they went into the round pen, because I wanted to form a plan. I felt that they went in there without a plan other than ‘halter the horses,’ which wasn’t going to happen. We needed to break that goal into smaller, more manageable steps. For my personal goal, I said I would like to get within five feet of them. I felt that we weren’t going to get anywhere running them, although I do agree that separating them is a necessary thing. But again, if we have to break training goals into smaller steps with domestic horses, we are going to have to break the goals down into minute steps with the mustangs. While the girls were formulating a plan, I maintained a neutral body position and kept my gaze at their hip – not making eye contact - with any of them so I would not be perceived as a predator. When I saw the intelligent lightly colored one flick his ear towards me and lower his head, I took a step forward. When he appeared uncomfortable, I released the pressure. Looking back on it, I probably should have taken a step forward, released pressure when he relaxed and stood my ground when he got nervous. But that’s why we’re learning, right? I think that we’re going to have to take things slowly with them and get them acclimated to the idea of humans before we attempt anything exceptionally crazy – especially with the two older ones. My ideas differ from those of the girls, but once we get them separated that will get sorted out.

My baby (?) is going to be interesting…but a challenge I am looking forward to.