History List

Whilst clearing out yesterday, I found my diaries of my progress with my Jack. What I saw was shocking and yet inspiring.I was desperate when i started Parelli, but look how far we have come. What follows are the behaviours before I found Parelli training, most of which disappeared within my first few months of training. 

1. impossible to catch, it would take hours and hours and hours.  Memories of Ian and me either chasing him round the field, or sitting, hoping, waiting for him to be nosey and come and look. 

NOW Jack is always first to the gate.  He catches me not the other way round.

2. Impossible to lead. Jack refused to move or would run backwards and rear. It would take two people one in front and one behind, and often a stick. Then you had to try and get him in a stable, which was even more fun and games!
NOW he is my shadow, where ever we may go.  If I run he runs, if I walk backwards, he walks backwards! Even without a rope.

3. Hide in the stable corner, bum to the door, and refused to look at you.
NOW meets me with a whinny at the door even when I have just gone away for 5 minutes!

4. Jack refused to lift his feet, would stamp, barge into you, pull away from you or lay down. Was unshod as it was not possible to shoe.
NOW stands patiently while all four feet are shod, well nearly ( except when he tries to stand on the tripod)!!

5. Pawing always, always pawing, and would strike with his front hooves if you weren’t careful.
NOW will paw slightly when standing for long periods or when in forward mode

6. Unable to groom. Would fidget, barge and would threaten to kick you if you ventured into sensitive areas.
NOW loves being tickled all over!

7. Dangerous to tie. Would pull back violently, rear panic and run.  Looking at this made me recall a time when he scared himself by pulling and bolted off out of the yard with all of us running after him.  Thank god I don't have to do that anymore!
NOW you don’t really need to tie, but if left unattended and tied he stands quietly

8. Impossible to bridle. He would fight you. Lots of tears had here. He was such a nightmare.  Many a time I would fail and end up throwing the bridle and stamping on it in frustration.
NOW can bridle from a chair sitting down and ask him to lower his head into it.

9. Wouldn’t accept the saddle, would evade it at sight, and would roll with it on his back.
NOW 100% standstill and actually enjoys it, because we make it fun.

10. Refused to lunge. Would evade, spin, rear, run backwards, run over you, pull you over as he run off, or throw himself on the floor.
NOW we can do  anything really on the end of a rope!

11. Mounting impossible. It could take an hour to mount on your own as he would not let you.
NOW he will standstill and is polite and waits to be asked to walk forward.

12. Dangerous to Ride Jack used to rear, spin, nap, run backwards through fencing, run forwards through fencing, bronc, and bolt bolt bolt!
NOW none of the above.

13. Spook, snort, and react to everything.
NOW calm most of the time (unless exposed to new places, people and things).  This is Jack we are talking about, he can still have his moments, but that is what makes him interesting.  you didn't think he would be perfect did you?

Even I had to be impressed with how much we have succeeded with.  A testimony to hard work and what love can do to get through the difficult times.  And oh yes, we still have so much to do to get better and better!