Something very interesting happened today. I took Ace out for a hack and he was absolutely fine apart from one spook, until he saw some new sheep hayracks very near the side of the road. They were high ones, made of wood and he was goggle eyed. I let him stop, but not turn away, and after staring at them for a short while he went past.
I took Radar out afterwards on the same ride, plus a little longer, and he was far, far worse at the sheep feeders than Ace was! For the first time in his life that I can remember, he tried to turn for home. Previously his response to things he did not like was always to run past them. But this time, and for much longer than Ace, he simply refused to go past the new feeders. He did eventually, but the contrast was really fascinating.
It just goes to show how much Ace has improved, because if big old unflappable Radar was that frightened, then by rights Ace should have gone wild. It will be very interesting to see what Woody makes of them tomorrow.
There is a hunt running on Saturday, and weather permitting we will be out for the first time since the beginning of December. I've forgotten how to jump, I hope Radar hasn't!
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In "Slight" defense of Radar, he has probably been out on that hack more often than Ace. So, to him the new racks were a huge difference while to Ace, they were strange but not as out of place.
ReplyDeleteStill, kudos to Ace for being so good about it all. Your new method of handling those spooky moments is really paying off.
I have a feeling after the first fence passes under Radar's sturdy body and you, your memory of how to jump will be instantly restored. It's going to be a great day out!!
Radar was a wuss :-))) Though I'll tell him he has your support, Jean :-)
DeleteC.
And yet he was so good for that truck the other day. They like to keep us guessing.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you are going to have fun this weekend.
It's the first time he has ever refused to pass anything ML. He was once very scared by some cows, but he ran on down the road past them, he didn't turn for home.
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