New games to play

Yesterday we had a Physio visit for Charle and grace spent the time showing me some polework exercises on the ground for Charlie.

We took it very slowly so we didn't spook him but he was having a very good spook free day. In fact he was so chilled he was asleep. I started off with the feeling I can't see what this will do as it was all in a very slow walk but my word it was interesting.

The T

We built a T of poles on the ground and basically got Charlie walking up and down and in and out and doing some rein back. Then we raised some of the poles and got him walking around them and over them. Nice and slowly as it meant he had to pick his legs up properly. I, wrongly, assumed he would just plough through it all but, lovely little man that he is, he just trundled around doing our bidding.

Charlie watches Grace set it up

My favourite exercise was the last one. Poles down the centre line with one end raised. We initially had Charlie zig zagging over them and then finally Grace took over and we got him literally weaving along them stepping slightly to right or left to go over them.

I videoed some of it but not the last bit which I like most because I could clearly see how Charlie had to pick up a hind leg and step across and under as he went over a raised end and then because he was then changing direction slightly he did the same with the other leg.


We finished off by trying him with an elasticated strap around his quarters. We tied this to the girth part of a roller and got him walking round encouraging a step under. Yet again the boy took all of this in his stride.