100 mile walk

Steve Halfpenny, an Australian horseman and trainer memorably recommended walking a horse out 100 miles in hand as a great way to forge a strong partnership with handler and horse, build a horse's confidence in seeing and coping with the many novel and unexpected things in the big wide world (away from herd mates), and build fitness in both horse and handler. So, in addition to the groundwork basics (see Beginning the basics) and exposure to novel obstacles (umbrellas, balls, flappy plastic, tarps) in the arena (see Building on the basics), Sky and I began to build our mileage up one step at a time. This started after about a month of arena work, with a slowly slowly approach.

Day 1, we ventured away from the farm just a few hundred feet, she was curious and seemed settled with me, but was a little worried about the sheep and lambs who were close by, and she hurried once we turned for home. We incorporated our halt and back up on a feel to establish the transferability of the groundwork out in the wider world to prevent this rushing towards home.

Day 2, she seemed a little more anxious, we met a few groups of people on the lane and saw some flappy plastic, and in addition to this, her herd mates were calling for her, but she coped well, stayed with me, and we ventured a tiny bit further before heading home, again working on matching paces to prevent the rushing.

As our solo practice progressed, she continued being curious, brave and interested in walking farther. Fewer calls to her herd mates, a better sense of partnership and pace matching on the way home. I was mindful to turn around before her 'worry cup' overflowed and while she was still feeling good about things. One day we got as far as a gate along the lane, and, about to turn her round, she looked ahead with curiosity, so I decided to open it and see if she wanted to go further- she walked though confidently, eager for more. 

Some days she was more tentative, some she looked around a lot, with her breathing a little irregular, clearly a little concerned, other days she wanted to just smell the ground as we went along, or just had a calm eye and even breathing. I tried to tune into her, and keep it sweet.  One day, we went over a mile from the farm with a herd mate for support (ridden) and Sky was unflappable, and walked over a wooden bridge, saw a heron fly by and heard motorbikes nearby. She was always willing to stop on back up on cue.

To be able to walk away from home independently of the herd mates she gets comfort from, and find that with me is the goal.

A couple of months later these walks have progressed- Sky walks with her saddle on, and walks in company, leaves company and can walk out short distances solo. She's an adventurous soul. We've crossed water, seen motorbikes and tractors, sheep and cows. She needs a little more confidence with curious cows who approach, and we've not done much road work yet, but with many miles to go, so we'll see where the adventures take us!