| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 05 2008 : 07:37:19 AM
I know it has been a long time since I have posted. I hope everyone is doing well. I haven't gotten a horse yet but a freind of mine has allowed me to be a "hang" out at her barn every weekend. She even let me ride a few time and it was so fun. She has me grooming her horse and helping him learn to hold his feet longer and get used to being handled by someone other than herself. She got him as a baby and has only been handle by herself. He is a big baby and a little to spoiled. But I have a question about another horse on her property. This is the horse I ride. He is an 8 year old Appy/tenn. walker cross. She bought him for her daughter who is in college and doesn't have too much time to ride anymore. He was very underwieght when they got him, would not trailer and did not like men. He has put on a good amount of weight but still won't trailer. I would always pet him and have ridden him but I have never worked with him.I started to groom him this past weekend also and I can't believe the difference with his behavior from when I am in the saddle and when I am on the ground. In the saddle he is well behaved and relaxed and quite the love bug. On the ground he is nervous and scared and really only tolerates being touched. She told me he is a scary cat with new things. She usually tacks him up for me so this was the first time I have worked with him. I am not a fast mover and I have a relaxed demeaner and a calming voice, which she did not think was the problem. Do you all think it will just take some time for him to get used to me on the ground or is this just the way he is? Are there any ways to gain his trust? He also was spooky on his ride too that day but he was easly gotten under control. Maybe he was just having a bad day? What your thoughts? She had him for sale and I was seriously thinking about buying him because we get also so well under saddle but now I dunno. His very first owner saw the ad and came to look at him, my friend questioned her about why he doesn't trailer and she said she trailered him all over to shows and he was now a scary cat at all so we think something happened with the previous owners. They had to used a twitch to get him to trailer to her place. I know now this isn't the right horse for me but what can I do in working with him to get some more trust with him? Thanks,
Alicia
(Update)Well I have been working with him about a month now. He has been coming along very well. I have figured out his saddle doesn't fit right(Too tight) at his shoulders so he is going to get a new one.I know I will probalby get a little flack for this but I could not stand to see him go to anyone else. I was afraid he would be abused again and he has come so far in so short of time. I need to get some more lessons myself but I bought him this morning. I hope he is happy with it. Now the trick is how am I going to get him home without having to twitch him. I don't own a trailer but I can borrow one for a short period of time.
Wish me luck,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 28 2008 : 2:24:04 PM
Thank you Tracey and Alee,
I spoke with the old owner today and she tried the feed in the trailer trick. I also can borrow another trailer from the trainer. I might have to have her come and try to get him on for me but we'll see. Thanks again,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Tracey |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 07:08:33 AM
He's cute, Alicia! And I know all about the stay puff fashion look 
One thing to watch for with stock trailers built for cows is that they've often got low ceilings, and horses (unlike cattle) tend to have necks  They can feel a bit claustrophobic in a stock trailer that's less than 6'6". If he's refuses, you may want to bear that in mind.
On the note of him rebelling if you push to hard; you'll get to that point with most young horses, especially the ones who've been getting their way for a long time. They're just like children, and when they come up against a wall, they throw a fit. It's always easier not to let them get away with it to begin with than to put things right afterwards. Just make sure he's giving a little each time, so that you're winning battles, not him. It may not always be a fun ride, but eventually he'll learn to trust you and the two of you will have a great time.
Desperate Horsewife, raising funds for the Mustang Makeover!
http://desperate-horsewife.blogspot.com |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 2:28:39 PM
Here we are last week on our ride.He is shaggy with his winter coat. I look like the stay puff marshmallow man with my hubby's winter coat on. It is the only one I have that is warm enough and I don't care if it gets dirty. Anyway the trailer we have access to is a stock trailerand it is a light tan color inside and out. We use it for our cows all the time. We have some time before we have to bring him here so I can work with him some more on leading and getting him to trust me. He really took to hubby last Sunday when he came to look at him to give his approval before I bought him. He actually was better behaved for him that either of us girls but hubby has a way with animals. I am afraid if I try to force him he will rebel. He really has to think it is his idea to do something. The first owner did say he trailered all the time so I am sure once we get him to do it again with no pain then he might think it isn't so bad. If I can borrow the trailer for a week before, I might feed his hay in it. Starting at the edge and working in an see if that helps. What you all think of that?
Before we figured out the saddle was bothering him we had a moment with the horse eating squirel that crossed the road. He calmed down real easy this week so I am seeing lots of improvements. I can't wait to get the new saddle. I think that might be why he was a little cranky about riding too. Thanks for all your help!
ALicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Tracey |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 07:23:51 AM
Congrats on your new horse, Alicia! I think you'll be fine with him; you're obviously looking for answers and not afraid to step up to the plate and help this guy out.
When do we get to see photos?
As for loading, if you can keep it around long enough for him to learn to eat inside of it, that would be helpful. Alee's method may work, too.
If all else fails and you just haven't got the time to truly mess with him before you get him home, a long rope running from the halter, up through a ring in the trailer, back out and behind his butt will help put enough pressure on him to encourage him to jump in. If you can, make sure the trailer is open (not a two horse, straight load), and light colored inside. The biggest thing is going to be gaining his trust between now and loading day; if he can bring himself to seek you for comfort, then it'll help ease his fears.
Desperate Horsewife, raising funds for the Mustang Makeover!
http://desperate-horsewife.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 24 2008 : 3:46:02 PM
We had a horse at the ranch that didn't want to load up into the trailer. So every time she shied away or backed out of the trailer we would lunge her and once she was showing respect, we would try again. We didn't yell or scream or make a big fuss. It was her decision- load like a good girl, or get a workout. She loaded after about 3 or 4 tries once she realized that if she just loaded it wasn't a big deal. We then let her stand in the trailer for a few minutes, and then let her out, walked her and then put her pack in her turn out. The next time we had to load her, she was a kitten about it.
You said his previous owner loaded him all the time no problem, so hopefully if you can remind him that the trailer can be a nice place he will get over his fear.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 10 2008 : 11:18:22 AM
Thanks Winona,
I was over there this morning. What a big differnce this week. I was able to pick up all four hooves and he was snuggle bug before the ride and he rode well without the drama. We rode longer a farther than last week. Of course the weather sucked. As soon as we tacked up it started to rain but I didn't want to not ride him this week so we went out anyway. I am glad we did. I always feel like a little kid after, it is so much fun. He does still need lots of work but I think as long as they let me I will keep working with him. Thanks again,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| goneriding |
Posted - Feb 10 2008 : 07:28:27 AM
I was in a hurry when I first read your post and I didn't quite 'get' that you could only go over there once a week but still when you are there, you can make him mind. That poor kid is going to be in for an awakening one of these days! The horse will have a question mark above his head for a bit but he's smart and will learn pronto.
I only get to work with my Gigi when I'm home (I'm a long haul truck driver) but she has come around nicely. Things just take longer. Hanging out with him will do a world of good. He's smart and is probably looking for someone to fiddle with him!
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
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| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 09 2008 : 2:11:01 PM
Thank you for your all your advice. I will check out his eye sight. He is spooky with everyone not just me.Until I started working with him a few weeks ago, He didn't get worked with but every few months, which is not enough. And (I don't agree with this) the owners daughter thinks it is cute when he stops and spins and starts to go right back home. So he gets away with what he wants. I wish I could go over there more than once a week but I guess that is better than nothing. I know it will take time. I have trained cows to walk on the halter and they take a while too, I think this horse is so much smarter than some of the cows I have worked with. So wish me luck and as long as the owner lets me I will be working with him until I can get my own horse. Thanks again,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| goneriding |
Posted - Feb 08 2008 : 3:49:33 PM
Yep, the TV trainers are basically jokes in the real horse world. Get out there and handle him as much as possible.
My son had an indian pony we got off a reservation and he was always better in the saddle than on the ground. We finally figgered out that he didn't see that well. If you stood up (I'm 5'7") and above his eye, he got spooky. Yet my son, when he was small, could walk right up to him to catch him. If I stooped over and lower than his eye, I didn't have a problem catching him either.
Check his eyesight. Also, some of this spookiness is 'learned' so the horse get 'spooky' when he REALLY doesn't want to do something. Also, a horse will feed off the nervousness of the owner and not act as wanted. Keep emotion out of your training sessions at all costs. Just act like everthing is normal, even if it isn't. Don't react.
Actually, he is speaking to you and telling you but you don't have to agree with him. You're the pilot and run the show...not him. Also, he's part Appy and they are opinionated and you have to ask them to do something, never tell them or you'll get a real fight on your hands.
Edited to add: Also, you can't buy a kit to 'fix' him. The best thing you can do is go out and just hang with him, watch him move and 'be' with him. That's the best thing you can do and then go from there.
Got to jet, but had to jump in here...luck to you!
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
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| Tracey |
Posted - Feb 06 2008 : 09:14:08 AM
Personally, Parelli makes me want to throw up.  Don't let yourself get so stuck on his games that you never learn to read and train a horse. I know some Parelli folks who've got the best trained, game playing horses around, but you can't ride them because he's not yet gotten to the "How to bounce up into your saddle" game
But yes, the horse has trust issues. Just get over there and handle him as much from the ground as you can. Staying relaxed is important. It's also important not to hesitate when reaching out for him. If you reach, he flinches, and you stop, then you've taught him that to make you stop all he needs do is flinch. That's a very common mistake made by even experienced horse owners; they're trying to keep things quiet, but end up setting themselves and the horse up for failure.
Staying confident, talking (not baby talk) to him matter of factly and keeping your hands on him with enough pressure not to tickle him will help increase trust between the two of you.
Mesteno Wild Horse Photogrpahy
http://mesteno.blogspot.com
http://carpentercreek.wordpress.com |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 05 2008 : 09:14:09 AM
He wasn't too bad with the brushes, he just wasn't too happy about his feet getting touched so I made sure I ended on a good note with them. I just find it so odd that he is such a jeckle and hyde with how he acts under saddle and on the ground. I just wish he could speak to me to tell me what had happen to him to make him so afraid.Thank you,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 05 2008 : 08:41:16 AM
I too would recommend the Pat Parelli materials and round pen, round pen, round pen. He _needs_ to see someone other than himself as the dominant in any situation, first because humans should always be seen as the dominants, but also because he is obviously too afraid to feel confident in himself. Round penning him until he shows respect to you will really help this alot.
Then just work with him and work with him and work with him. If he is acting spooking about the curry comb, then curry him gently until he isn't spooky any more. Never let him get away with spooking at something that you plan on ever doing again with him (currying etc) because then he will learn that it is "okay" to spook. It's like horses that are let to barge through a door learn that's okay and then it is 100x harder to get them to learn that it isn't okay.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 05 2008 : 08:07:05 AM
She does have a round pen. She has some of the Parelli DVD is is going to let me borrow but I will look into Clinton Anderson in the mean time. I think this horse needs a lot more time than the daughter has to give him. My friend was very happy with me volunteering to help her especially since I can ride him well. Thanks
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Mnhorsemom |
Posted - Feb 05 2008 : 07:58:20 AM
Sounds to me like he has some serious trust issues. Do you have a round pen you can work with him in? Have you ever seen any of the programs with some of the popular clinicians like Clinton Anderson or Pat Parelli. Maybe try using some of their techniques to get the horse to bond with you. I would be that he had a very bad experience with trailering. I have a friend that trains and uses a lot of the Clinton Anderson methods. I especially like his loading/trailering stuff. I have seen my friend be able to get a impossible to load horse going in and out of the trailer with just a couple sessions. Good Luck, keep up the good work.
Farm House Formulas Battle Lake, MN |
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