Behavior.... - Barnmice Equestrian Social Community2024-03-28T18:18:39Zhttp://www.barnmice.com/forum/topics/behavior-1?id=1773158%3ATopic%3A231164&feed=yes&xn_auth=no@ Jennifer, you know I got to…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-23:1773158:Comment:2484382010-06-23T18:26:58.048ZSarah Silerhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/SarahSiler
@ Jennifer, you know I got to thinking...you and I and only one other fellow I've met have had an orphaned foal. This other fellow had a filly that was orphaned at about a month of age. Like you, he'd raised her. She was one spoiled little thing, even he admitted that...and yes he had some trouble with the whole 'respect' thing, I'm not so sure that was because the filly was an orphan...more because he did the spoiling, not giving her boundaries/discipline; which I think can cause problems with…
@ Jennifer, you know I got to thinking...you and I and only one other fellow I've met have had an orphaned foal. This other fellow had a filly that was orphaned at about a month of age. Like you, he'd raised her. She was one spoiled little thing, even he admitted that...and yes he had some trouble with the whole 'respect' thing, I'm not so sure that was because the filly was an orphan...more because he did the spoiling, not giving her boundaries/discipline; which I think can cause problems with any foal/horse whether orphaned or not. He also enlisted the help of a trainer when the horse was old enough to start being ridden, it was an uphill battle, but he stuck with it, he even took her to shows and won quite a few ribbons on her in western pleasure classes. While I wouldn't say she was aggressive, they boarded at the same facility as I did. The horse wasn't real friendly towards strangers, she was just fine with the man and his wife, and would tolerate being introduced to strangers...she just wasn't happy about strangers just coming up to her stall and trying to touch her; again many horses are like that, orphaned or not. Once you/Oliver feel comfortable around others, maybe a very small orienteering event, making up a team of horses/riders that Oliver has been exposed to often enough for him to be comfortable with, would be good for him/you. Usually there's enough time/space between teams you hardly ever see anyone but your own team on the trail and a small event wouldn't have a lot of teams. Maybe your trainer knows of a barn that would like to put on a small event. There isn't very much info on…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-23:1773158:Comment:2484142010-06-23T17:43:41.638ZJennifer Lammhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JenniferLamm
There isn't very much info on orphans.... maybe we are getting somewhere with this thread..... I've only met 3 people in 5 years and Sarah is one of them.....
There isn't very much info on orphans.... maybe we are getting somewhere with this thread..... I've only met 3 people in 5 years and Sarah is one of them..... That sounds really really fun…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-23:1773158:Comment:2484052010-06-23T16:35:32.131ZJennifer Lammhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JenniferLamm
That sounds really really fun and something that Oliver and I could practice even alone and the game would be fun for him.... !! Thanks for that.
That sounds really really fun and something that Oliver and I could practice even alone and the game would be fun for him.... !! Thanks for that. JMO=Just My Opinion.
I think…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-23:1773158:Comment:2483162010-06-23T04:07:23.793ZSarah Silerhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/SarahSiler
JMO=Just My Opinion.<br />
I think starting something like orienteering on a small scale would be a good way to introduce it to people, get some interest up. The events I've heard most about were done in national forests and over quite a few miles of trails, I'd think something on a smaller scale would be just as much fun.
JMO=Just My Opinion.<br />
I think starting something like orienteering on a small scale would be a good way to introduce it to people, get some interest up. The events I've heard most about were done in national forests and over quite a few miles of trails, I'd think something on a smaller scale would be just as much fun. That does sound like alot of…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-23:1773158:Comment:2482922010-06-23T00:09:34.551ZShirleyhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/Shirley
That does sound like alot of fun. Even done on a smaller scale then all day wouild be fun to get started.<br />
I need help with JMO. I don't know what that stands for.<br />
I agree learning and understanding horses is a great education. That's what I meant by horse psychology. I'm sure the orphans get even more complicated but how exciting and rewarding when something clicks and you do figure it out.<br />
Very cool.....
That does sound like alot of fun. Even done on a smaller scale then all day wouild be fun to get started.<br />
I need help with JMO. I don't know what that stands for.<br />
I agree learning and understanding horses is a great education. That's what I meant by horse psychology. I'm sure the orphans get even more complicated but how exciting and rewarding when something clicks and you do figure it out.<br />
Very cool..... JMO, and I'm pretty sure Jenn…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-22:1773158:Comment:2482552010-06-22T23:28:25.709ZSarah Silerhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/SarahSiler
JMO, and I'm pretty sure Jennifer would agree, it's a long journey, often very trying...BUT it's been well worth the effort and I wouldn't hesitate one moment to have another orphaned foal. I love figuring out what makes Rip tic, it's really helped to build an understanding of horses in general, a real education.<br />
Orienteering is sort of like a scavenger hunt on horseback. It's a team effort, teams can be from two/three riders to as many as nine or more. Each team is given a topographical map of…
JMO, and I'm pretty sure Jennifer would agree, it's a long journey, often very trying...BUT it's been well worth the effort and I wouldn't hesitate one moment to have another orphaned foal. I love figuring out what makes Rip tic, it's really helped to build an understanding of horses in general, a real education.<br />
Orienteering is sort of like a scavenger hunt on horseback. It's a team effort, teams can be from two/three riders to as many as nine or more. Each team is given a topographical map of the area, usually the easiest trail is marked on the map. At least one member of the team must have a compass and know how to use it, a cell phone for emergencies is suggested, there are people along the trail also just in case of emergencies; safety for humans and horses is always taken seriously. At the starting point the time the team exits the camp is marked down, the team must get to the first 'check point', which is marked on the map. The team can get there however it chooses, they can choose NOT to take the easy, marked on the map trail, of course there will be natural obstacles to traverse which must be done safely taking into consideration the abilities of all horses and riders on the team. At the first check point there will be an item to be collected, there will be enough of the same item for every team involved to collect one and it's easily identified as the collection item by a flag. The more difficult rides are often just like scavenger hunts, there's a written clue with a riddle of sorts and the team must solve the riddle to find the collection item. This procedure is done all along the trail at all the check points, collecting all the items. When the team reaches the finish, which is also the start, their incoming time is marked down, they turn in the collected items. The team with the shortest time and the most collected items is the winner. The pace of the ride is set by the team and the abilities of each horse/rider, of course if any horse comes in exhausted/in poor shape, the team is disqualified. If an item is too hard to find and be collected/the riddle wasn't solved so the item wasn't collected, the team can move on for the sake of time, but a penalty is assessed (time is added) for each missing item. These rides take one day, often with an overnight camp out at the start/finish line, camaraderie around a group campfire and exchanging tales of the events of the day. I've even heard that sometimes the easy trail is ridden, just for fun, the next day with plenty of stops and laughs about the previous day. Sounds like fun huh? It's something that, for some strange reason, isn't widely popular; maybe the time to set things up is the reason. I don't have an orphaned hors…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-22:1773158:Comment:2481582010-06-22T20:11:18.735ZShirleyhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/Shirley
I don't have an orphaned horse but I am into horse psychology ( what makes them tic etc) and I love your story/experience. It's interesting and inspiring that you have both been in for the long haul~~I admire that in a horse owner.<br />
What is orienteering?<br />
Shirley
I don't have an orphaned horse but I am into horse psychology ( what makes them tic etc) and I love your story/experience. It's interesting and inspiring that you have both been in for the long haul~~I admire that in a horse owner.<br />
What is orienteering?<br />
Shirley OH WOW!!! You and Oliver soun…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-22:1773158:Comment:2481482010-06-22T19:13:11.867ZSarah Silerhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/SarahSiler
OH WOW!!! You and Oliver sound sssoooo much like Rip and I. Just like you, people tell me that Rip is being disrespectful of my space when he stands close to me....HA! He's just trying to be close to me, I'm his 'safe zone'. I didn't choose my words very well when I said lovey-dovey, for me that only means standing close to him, saying soft 'love' words to him, breathing in his own unique horsey smell and letting him breath in my unique human smell, stroking his neck and face, touching him with…
OH WOW!!! You and Oliver sound sssoooo much like Rip and I. Just like you, people tell me that Rip is being disrespectful of my space when he stands close to me....HA! He's just trying to be close to me, I'm his 'safe zone'. I didn't choose my words very well when I said lovey-dovey, for me that only means standing close to him, saying soft 'love' words to him, breathing in his own unique horsey smell and letting him breath in my unique human smell, stroking his neck and face, touching him with loving touches, communicating to him that "Momma's got you, and when momma's got you nothing can harm you." thing. It's our special time of bonding. Rip has a goofy side too, he's a real clown sometimes and keeps us laughing at his antics. Around strangers he's curious, a bit standoffish, sort of sizing them up before he puts his nose out for a pat to 'investigate' them, I'm always near. The few times I observed from a distance, he wouldn't EVEN get close enough to them for them to lay a hand on him, and when they tried he turned tail and ran away, looking for me. You are one smart cookie to have disciplined him as a youngster...so many moms of orphaned foals don't. With Rip, I had to start the discipline at three years of age because the people that owned him from birth didn't, I inherited a very spoiled animal. To Rip's credit, he didn't start being rebellious, he accepted the discipline very well actually, again because I was very careful to discipline him as his mother would have, like I saw mares interact with their foals at the barn. I did have to be very careful about how I disciplined him, I don't...let me say WON'T, go knocking around on any horse with my hands/fists, a whip or anything else, that is so counterproductive and I'm glad to hear you aren't one of those types of people. Rip is sensitive to voice and even just the 'look' from me lets him know he'd better straighten up. I found that if I did get too hard core he didn't respond well, much like you said about Oliver, Rip responded...he just didn't act happy about it and I want a happy, obedient horse, one that is happy to be obedient. Oh I agree with you 100% about the Indians breeding/having horses based on their willing attitudes with people. Rip is truly a people loving horse, not to put a human emotion on a horse, I'm talking the way a horse understands loving, when he and my mare are out in the pasture and my husband and I are out there too, they are always coming around to see what we're doing, to hang out with us if you will. Dennis and I will sit out there in our lawn chairs and it's not long before Rip is grazing close by, like he's hanging out with his herd mates, herd mates he respects. Rip and I are making a fine partnership, we only do trail riding, nothing competitive...although I'd love to do some competitive trail riding or orienteering, something along those lines. I think he'd do quite well at team sorting cattle too, they just don't have that type of thing here. I love the way my orphaned foal is turning out, like I said...he can be a challenge...but a challenge I love. I've decided to incorporate O…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-22:1773158:Comment:2481052010-06-22T17:13:10.421ZJennifer Lammhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JenniferLamm
I've decided to incorporate Olivers breed with his orphanness and you can come with me if you want to..... the Indians bred three specific horses because of their nature friendliness with humans and their bond with their people... these horses are the mustang, the appaloosa and the paint.... my horse reminds me of a war pony... when he is close to me other people call it disrespectful... I call it i'm over pushing him away... for 5 years we, my trainer and I, have dealt with him.... he's like…
I've decided to incorporate Olivers breed with his orphanness and you can come with me if you want to..... the Indians bred three specific horses because of their nature friendliness with humans and their bond with their people... these horses are the mustang, the appaloosa and the paint.... my horse reminds me of a war pony... when he is close to me other people call it disrespectful... I call it i'm over pushing him away... for 5 years we, my trainer and I, have dealt with him.... he's like no other horse my trainer has met in 45 years...... oh well.... now let's write a book about them and enjoy them and find other orphaned horses and tell their stories..... I'm good at being a horse mom with my horse.... I've disciplined him, and done all the watering hole stuff I can do to be his leader... now I love being his partner.... and he's mine.. period end of story. we dig each other, we are different, we can't fit in the square hole and we are gonna succeed anyway.. he is an awesome, smart, loving, beautiful, sturdy, big tall indian pony...... mustang.... affectionate..... and I learn that the more he understands me the more he loves joining up. The more I relax around him the more he does too... I believe he would knit me a sweater if he knew how... I can see it on his face.. he just wants to fit in and be loved.... he is so confused about who he is, what he is... I'm gonna just let him be himself.... he stands close... people say he's disrespectful... he only seems dangerous when I used topush him away. Now he understands going away and doesn't take offense anymore.... If i let him be close he stands there and falls asleep... ..... I can tell that he will do what I ask of him.... he is doing so great... he's a pickle, but me and my trainer are trying to not make his goofyness go away because it's really fun that he wants to play with us. he is very much into his people... strangers not so much... what is Rip like with new people? that is my big concern right now and what I need to figure out before I ride him around town.... :) In five years, I've never been lovey dovey with him... ever. I don't even do that..... but now that I am trying to be more affectionate, he is loosening up and relaxing more..... I've been hard core and so has my trainer disciplinarian and he's not responding well to me at all..... not that he doesn't respond, he just used to blow me off... now we are connecting better. Rip is an Appaloosa, people h…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-06-22:1773158:Comment:2480952010-06-22T16:56:07.192ZSarah Silerhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/SarahSiler
Rip is an Appaloosa, people have told me that's just another strike against him :-/, however I disagree with that train of thought. Not only was he orphaned at 4 months of age, as a yearling he had an accident, apparently he got his head caught in something and part of his face was ripped off. This resulted in even more human contact to get him nursed back to health, human contact without discipline apparently. Then he was just left to himself until I bought him. He has an ugly scar, his…
Rip is an Appaloosa, people have told me that's just another strike against him :-/, however I disagree with that train of thought. Not only was he orphaned at 4 months of age, as a yearling he had an accident, apparently he got his head caught in something and part of his face was ripped off. This resulted in even more human contact to get him nursed back to health, human contact without discipline apparently. Then he was just left to himself until I bought him. He has an ugly scar, his forelock covers it and there was no damage done to his optical nerve, he sees things just fine. Like you, everyone I talked to said that, because he was an orphan, his mother wasn't around to 'teach' him manners. I used to work in a boarding/training/breeding facility and know that mares do teach their offspring manners, from what I have learned humans aren't very good at duplicating those teachings to foals and this the reason orphaned foals often grow into disrespectful horses...HOWEVER, I am not convinced that these horses are in some way defective and not worth the time and (enormous) amount of effort it takes to 'catch them up' on the teachings they missed as foals from their mothers...I hope that makes sense. Rip is now ten years old, and yes he's a constant challenge for me...I might add a challenge that I embrace with my entire being. Rip isn't in the least aggressive...just hardheaded, thinks he knows better than me what he should do. He's solid on trails and will do what I ask. I've found that I have to go at things with a little different frame of mind when working with him, being a leader of course, being more of a partner with the leadership title works well for us, not an equal partner...but a partner in the leadership role...and always, always, always being fair with him...understanding his limits and not asking more of him than he can readily give; expanding those limits with small increments of training. I'm new to this site, I belong to two other horse related sites and yes, I've not been given much encouragement when I tell people Rip's an orphan...other than he'll only be a pasture ornament and nothing more. Keep up the good work with Oliver, he'll come around, expect to have to be on your toes at all times and 'the leader' at all times...give him the lovey-dovey stuff once he's back in his pen at the end of your lessons/time together and 'work' is done.