Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Yikes!

Oh, no excuses, I haven't been here for forever! I am determined to change that though because there are new things happening in Diesel's little hinny life!
He is doing great by the way! Loving all the mud that spring has to offer, being with his herd and buggin' them! But, mostly, enjoying the spring grass coming up. We really have to watch he and Scout, because spring grass can be great nutritionally, but dangerous sugar-wise. So, the boys are rotated on and off the grass and they are pretty content with their spring routine.
Okay, anyway, back to Diesel. Wow, he is doing amazing. There was a 5-star professional that was offering video coaching and Lea and I decided to send a video to him. That was SO disappointing. All he could say after watching a 15 minute video was to give Diesel more treats. Well, let me tell you, Diesel should be an orange mini hinny for all the carrot treats he gets.
But, God is so good and opened another door for us! We belong to a forum for people who are involved in Parelli. I sent a message to a lovely gal who had a picture of mules on her post and thought perhaps she had mules and could share some experiences with me.
Well, this dear woman, Sharon, has shared more with me in the last 48 hours than I could hope to get from any 5-star professional! So, we are really beginning to understand how Diesel "thinks" which helps us be more interesting for him.
Lea has once again not abandoned me with her brilliant Parelli ways and is helping me with Diesel. (Poor Lea is always at the mercy of "when" I have time to play with Diesel. Months may pass before I get going again and she is always there to guide me through! So thank you Lea, once again)
She is having me play "stick to me" with Diesel. And we have only done it twice and what a change in his perception of me. Sort of like, "by golly, this little chap is really interested in me and what I am doing." Stick to me is Diesel being at Liberty in our outdoor and I drive his hindquarters away and once he looks at me with both eyes, I go into a neutral position and put my hand out and ask him to draw into me. And he does by golly!!!! It might take 10-15 times of gently driving his hindquarters, but he gets it!!! Once he is interested in me he will actually "stick" to me and walk with me, hop up on the pedestal with me, put his nose on something. WOW!!!!!
So, stay tuned for my next play session which will be on Thursday. (Drat, I have to work all day tomorrow).
If you haven't been around Diesel's blog for a while, I promise to be more diligent so you can enjoy his journey as much as we are!
Thanks!
Marianne

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