Carrot Tryouts

Picture taken 4-19-2010.

I finally got motivated to do some clicker training with Chrome again and I decided to try the carrots out. I have two things I really need to work on. Fly spray and hoof care. I didn't feel like working on the fly spray so I decided to work on him letting me hold his feet up for increasing amounts of time. He's been good about picking up his front hooves, but I've had problems with his rear hooves. I'm starting on the front to let him know what we're working on. After I have him balancing, holding his hoof and relaxing I'll introduce the trimming tools like the nippers and rasp. Then I'll move on to the back hooves.

He did pretty well. At first he was moving around a lot but then he realized what I wanted and was offering his hoof pretty well. He does back up to pick up his hoof though. I don't know if that's a balance issue or if he's confused what I'm asking for. If anyone has clicker trained hoof work I'd appreciates some tips. :D

Unfortunately midway through the session my neighbor stopped by with his grandchildren to look at our chickens. While they were watching the chickens I went back to working with Chrome, but I felt totally self conscious because I was wearing my ugliest shorts, tank top and muck boots! I wasn't expecting an audience! So after they left my brain was all over the place. I did some backing practice and he did great!! He was going three steps back very quickly and eagerly.

Then I went back to the hoof work. While asking him to pick up his hoof he reached his head down between his front legs being a pest. I totally should not have rewarded it but it was cute so I did! I had him reach between his legs several times and then had him reach around and touch his sides. So now we have vertical and lateral flexion lol! Cool!

When I went back to the hoof work he started spitting out the carrots. I still don't think he really likes them. At that point I called it quits and put the rest of them in his feed. It went decent considering the interruption I guess. I'll try again tomorrow. :) Or maybe later.

Score For Carrots!!

I know I already posted today but I just had to tell everybody that Chrome ate two whole baby carrots!! I'm so excited. Chrome may have finally decided he like carrots! That will be so much easier to clicker train with than the bucket of feed. Besides I think the bucket is becoming a cue in itself. He still did a lot of head shaking and dropped some pieces, but since he's finally not acting so picky I think I'm going to try chopping them up in his feed everyday for a while. :) This may seem silly to you, but I'm excited. It has taken sooooo long for him to decide to like treats. Oh and he likes his beet pulp too. I can already see a difference in him. He doesn't act like he's starving all the time now and his hay is lasting longer into the day. :)

Silly Pictures

These are just some random silly pictures of Chrome that I took on Saturday when I was getting pictures for Donkey Day. I don't know how many of you play that game with your dogs where you poke them, tickle them, etc and dodge their teeth (well I do because I know they won't bite - the paw tapping one is fun too), but I've gotten into the bad habit of playing it with Chrome. Please don't yell at me. I like to tickle his lips and watch him open his mouth. It's hilarious. He still doesn't try to bite me though so I think he knows it's a game. If he doesn't I guess I'll learn the hard way at some point lol.

Heck we could just call that training for a equine dentist LOL. Open wide Chrome!

"Is this close enough Mom?"

Weird angle. Don't know why I kept it, but I like it. :)

Anyway sorry for not posting much. I'll try to do better.