Koko

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So I'm taking on my first paid project starting next week, a STB! . I go out to meet her and get a feel for what shes like on Saturday.

As far as I know, shes barely broke wtc, not sure if shes a pacer or not and from what her owner tells me she isn't respectful of personal space and doesn't have an overall great disposition. Well now I get to take everything I've learned over the past 3 years of owning my own greenie and see what I can do with a different horse! Just a big ball of fun.

I'll be working with her 3 times a week indefinitely, the plan for the next couple of weeks is just to do a ton of groundwork and lunging. I'll be posting photos on here as well so keep checking in!

[Deleted]

STB'S usually have a good disposition. If you are working 3 times a week and starting with ground work, in two weeks time, you won't believe the difference in the animal. Good luck and keep up informed.

[charismatic]

SLIDING STOP.. OFF THE TRACK?

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thanks appletwig! Yes charismatic, off the track.

[Rodeo]

Those STB's are horrible creatures! That's why I just got one! Lol.

Love love love the breed. Might not be reiners or FEI dressage horses but they are fabulous mounts. My girl is an absolute doll. And give your girl a few weeks of love and attention she'll be the same.

Unfortunately many track horses are just worked and that's it. Nothing else done with them so they don't know anything else. My first stb was off the track and he turned into such a sweetheart.

Keep posting about her!

[charismatic]

Send me her registered name. Curious to see who it is. PM if you wish to. I know a lot of STBDS off the Truro oval.

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I'll see if I can find out what it is for you

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So her name is Miss Kokomo, shes 14.3hh 6/7yo and all black. Shes got a good build for a STB, very cute.

I had my first session with her today, I just did a lot of poll pressure release and she caught on very fast, then verbal leading ques and desensitizing with the lunge whip. She didn't really mind having it rubbed on her and settled quickly when I rubbed her legs but shes not fond of having it flicked beside her and she tries to walk into me to get away from it.

She is a kind little girl, just needs a firm hand and I'm thinking this will go well.

[charismatic]

I've seen her race.

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Yes I believe she actually came from Cape Breton.

[charismatic]

Im Pretty sure she did too.. lol. Ill check later.. But Im certain I know who had her. But I can think of another one with a similiar name..

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I did more leading and poll pressure release, she doesn't understand the word woah so I did lots of that and she started to catch on, by the end of it I could lead her on a loose lead and she stopped.

Still having some issues desensitizing with the lunge whip, she actually tried to drag me to get away from it in the beginning but then I got after her and she didn't try anymore, instead just walked around me so what I did was let her do that while I still flicked the whip beside her or rubbing it on her until she decided that it wasn't really going to eat her, I let her stop and then give her a break and lots of praise. After practicing with woah she stayed still longer with the whip flicking around, so I ended our session after three good goes.

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Koko did really well today, we worked on the same stuff again but shes so much calmer and respectful now, has caught on to poll pressure very quick and responds to woah very well. I did walk/trot/walk transitions in hand today and she was great and switched it up between that and desensitizing work. Again shes much better with the lunge whip, doesn't mind it on her body at all, and just walks around and settles much quicker without much intervening from me when I flick it around on her.

Instead of working with her on Monday I decided that it would be best to give Shannon a lesson on Reuben, and will be doing so for the next little bit to help her become a better rider. Friday I believe I'll introduce lunging.

[slidingstop]

More good progress with Koko!
I started the session with walk/trot/halt transitions in hand in which she responded instantly, walked over some cavalettis and she didn't hesitate. Then I did some more desensitizing with her, and went back to in hand work. I also introduced lunging today and she was a superstar! She did tug a bit but it didn't take long for her to understand what I wanted from my voice and movements, I kept it mostly at a walk/trot but did ask her to canter, she was a bit wound up at the canter and initially tried to pace. After that I went back to desensitizing.

At the end of the session I jumped her in hand over a couple cross rails and again she didn't hesitate, this will come in handy when I start jumping her u/s! (eventually lol) Then I walked and ran around with her to see what she would do and she stayed by my side the whole time and stopped when I did.