Setting Up Questions and Observing Answers

   Following on from the last play session with Piggles i decided to involved the tractor tyre that he volenterialy flew over. I wanted to see if i could get him really thinking, which would hopefully lead to him sharing some idea's. I sent him out on the cicrle and just as before they were beautiful, he was engaged menatly, emotionaly and physicaly then 'boom!' who put that tractor tyre in the way!? Setting it up so as it would interupt his circle i stood back and observed what he thought about it, what he was going to offer.... head down, mouth open, face stuffed with grass.... hmm not really what i had in mind Piggley Wiggley! I backed him up and resent him, he cricled and stopped at the tyre, paused then "Hiiiyah!" kararte chopped it with his foot in the usual over eager /demolish the obstacle/ look im putting my foot on it can i eat now, way. Good job! I new exactly where this was going, everytime he'd stop at the barrel he'd just offer more karate chops, each bigger than the last.
   New game. I re-sent him again only this time instead of setting it up so as the tyre interupted his pattern it was slightly out of line of his cirlce, aim? Lets build some thought and curiosity and see if i can get him to want to go over there and do something, another voluentry jump perhaps ;) With a slight wiggle and then point of the finger he backed up and trotted to the left and i returned to neutral, allowing him to circle. Coming out of neutral to gain attention, when he trotted parallel to the tyre i lifted the stick and asked for a transition down to walk, which he did, and i resumed my neutral stance. We repeated this several times. When he passed the tyre i asked for a transition either up into walk, trot or canter or a transition down to halt, walk or trot, always at the tyre. He licked and chewed and i could see that it was all begining to make sense and he began to focus more and more on the tyre "There is something about this tyre, hmm".
   I returned to neutral and allowed him to circle and i noticed that he was now begining to gravitated towards the tyre when ever he passed it. I remained in neutral and allowed him the extra drift with the rope as he drew towards it and what a suprise! He jumped it! He went out of his way to jump this mahoosive tyre! Well who would have thought! I think there is somthing in this whole natural horsemanship lark y'know! He then came trotting over all pleased with himself and i rewarded BIG with some cuddles, stroked his face and allowed him to eat. We repeated. I asked him to lift his head, backed him up, resent him and once again he drifted over to it and jumped it. Disengage. Game over. BIG rewards. What an amazing feeling and what a beautiful thing to watch, whilst stood in neutral you glance up to see your pony volentarily seek something out to jump!