Targeting

With all the snow and ice everywhere, I've opted for more sedentary training this week. We've been studying the names of body parts. The speed the animals learn this is just amazing.

First I have to provide a target. My fingers held in a victory sign (or peace sign) are the target. I start teaching a body part by touching it firmly and saying it's name. I do that three times. Then I hold my finger-target near and say "Target ______" where the body part goes in the blank. For example today I was teaching chin, so the cue was "target chin". At first my fingers are so close that almost any movement will bring them into contact with the body part, then gradually I increase the distance that the animal has to move to get contact. It's not long before the animal gets it.

Paisley is most consistent about chin, but she's adding to shoulder, hip, ribs, hoof, knee, nose, jaw, and ear. Using shoulder and hip in quick succession we have gotten a sidepass. She can sidepass away too.... I find it bidirectional control quite remarkable!

Cisco is a real targeting enthusiast. He loves it so much that he has stopped acting like a wild mustang, but comes running when I call. He knows nose, ear, jaw, shoulder, knee, hoof, hip, and chin (a little). His specialty is shoulder, but the speed he turns his hip suggests he may have some interesting possibilities.

Cracker Joe is my most advanced targeter. He will extend his hoof to a target held infront of him (spanish walk soon). He will target his jaw when we are walking around the arena, replacing any need for a lead line. He does nose, ear, jaw, shoulder, knee, and hoof. He is ever so delicate about his ears, just barely tipping them to gently brush my fingers.

Chester will play dumb at first, as if he can't remember anything. Then you just have to let him think you are giving up and going away and suddenly he is an anatomical genius. The only thing about Chester is that he sometimes let you know he would be willing to "target penis". Yikes!!!

Hopefully the weather will change. JD will get his last four rides and get to come home so he can learn some targeting too.