Training Sessions featuring Dollar!

Training Sessions are one-shot videos of various training sessions at Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue.

 

Today's Training Session features Dollar: https://youtu.be/GYyjweIxqJI

Dollar is a 9-yr-old gelding who was transferred to us from another rescue to participate in the 2024 Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge. When he arrived, however, we found him to be completely disengaged and he wouldn't even look at people. He would hide behind other horses and flee as far away as he could. We decided to give him time with our herd to learn from a distance and with other horses that humans are nice to be around, and now that he's showing interest in engaging with humans, have started training.

 

Dollar's flight instincts mean he's very reactive. He has had ground work training in the previous rescue, which we can definitely see when we round pen, but he has a very bad habit of changing directions on a whim and by turning towards the fence - presenting his butt to the person. While some disciplines do this, at this stage of training it's typically considered disrespectful and somewhat dangerous. Having the horse change direction by turning in towards the person/middle shows he's listening and being respectful. We've had several sessions just working on that change and attempting to engage.

 

Dollar is definitely a challenge to work with, but he's a very intelligent horse. Once he decides humans are fun to be with, he's going to progress rapidly and make a great partner.

 

Voiceovers are added to explain the methods and tools being used. However, there may be long periods with minimal talking.

 

We hope you enjoy these.