Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jackie Cochran on October 17, 2010 at 1:42pm

I have always found it humbling when handling a new horse. It has always taken me a while to establish communication. I could have used Ellen's methods back then! She's good.
I did on thing right, though. If the new horse came up to me, politely, I was always welcoming even if I had not "told" the horse to come. Impolite, pushy, herding behavior got a reprimand (speaking in a growl on up), gentle soft behavior got a good scratch and soft words. An extra pushy horse would quickly get to know my elbow. But then I never really emphasized ground work except for lungeing, where the horse gets plenty of practice in moving where and how I wanted at a safe distance.
I never learned how to move the horses at liberty as you have Jennifer. And what Ellen does is way beyond my wildest dreams.

Permalink Reply by Cyndi on October 17, 2010 at 4:59pm

LOL Jennifer...I think of Ellen every time I walk into the field!!! I am always thinking, "What if I had the video camera on right now...what would Ellen or others in the group say about my body language?". LOL

I have been enjoying going into the field and interacting with the herd. The young mare is always right there to see me (and get treats). So I'm taking advantage of it by taking my "carrot stick" out with me and rubbing her on the neck with it, etc.. When she stands still, I give her a treat. I can now swing the "string" from the stick over her back and she will stand still. Today I practiced stepping back and having her turn to face me. It is harmless stuff (she'll probably be used as a broodmare only), and it takes some pressure off Fanny. Fanny will follow me around out in the field, and I keep any "training sessions" with her short and sweet. I don't ask much of her these days. I have to earn her trust, and not have her think that I'm going to pack her up in another trailer and move her again. That's the price I'm paying for moving her so much. Lord willing, I won't be moving her for a loooooong time now!! :o)

The big Friesian in the field still kind of freaks me out when he gets really close, so I have been tapping him on the chest with the carrot stick to teach him to stay back a bit. He is just so intimidating!!! LOL He's never made any motion to hurt me, but man is he huge. He usually keeps his distance and grazes, ignoring me for the most part. Is there a better way for me to have him back off, rather than tapping him on the chest with the stick? I don't tap hard, but if there's a way I could do it with just my body language, I'm willing to give it a try.

Permalink Reply by Frank Martinez on October 17, 2010 at 6:43pm

Sounds like you're close to being up to your eyebrows in horses. Not a bad place to be! Often, I will go into pastures other than where my horse lives to socialize with those horses. For those times when through/over the fences for treats and petting doesn't cut it. When you want to get closer, to have that speclal feeling of being "surrounded" by horses. Now, these other guys belong to other people. I have no idea what they have been taught, what they know, what their dipositions might be. I do know there have never been any times that I had to "worry" if they would charge me! Never felt as if I needed eyes in the back of my head. Those are good times for me, and I trust the horses enjoy them as well. They appear to be at ease; me being there does not trouble them. Sometimes I sit on the ground against a fence post - other times I walk the length of a fence line. Often the horses will walk with me. When I'm sitting, they will move around but never are more that 100-200 feet away. A good feeling, for sure!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lamm on October 18, 2010 at 11:13am

i am not normally or naturally comfortable around horses..... :( I think it's great to have interactions with other horses though..... and good practice for all of us.... though own are my favorites, I've enjoyed the company of others....

Permalink Reply by Frank Martinez on October 18, 2010 at 2:31pm

For what seemed like the longest time, with Gitano, I would do everything necessary to him from OUTSIDE his stall. As you may know the BLM requires adopters to provide a 12'X12' stall, and an enclosure some 400 sq ft. His stall allowed for free choice access to his round pen/enclosure containing 40 feet in diameter which equals about 1200 sq ft. Two or three months into the adoption, I finally got up enough nerve to go into the stall with him in it. I brushed him down, including mane and tail. He took to that very well, with no protest whatsoever. I felt very good about it myself, thinking I had really "accomplished" something! It also seems, and if memory serves, from that point on I was very relaxed around horses, whether I "knew" them or not. I think what it took was to just make up my mind, leave my nervousness elswhere, and let him know I was no threat. Use what ever you like from this. It may help - I hope it does! Otherwise, you may be missing out. Of course, safety first!