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Post by BucknSpin on Oct 6, 2005 20:30:05 GMT -5
Yay! He's home! I really like the name Jaxson - that's cool! And it sounds like he's progressing quite nicely in his training. You must be workin' your butt off to have him doing all that he is so far! I'm impressed!
Ponying works great - or at least it has in my experience. Even if he's not ready to be ridden, just getting him out on the trails - or whatever - with a good, easygoing ponying partner really sets the stage for him as to how he's going to accept things further down the road when you're in the saddle and riding. I don't know if you're planning to pony him during your first couple of rides, but you might want to try it. It seems to really work well - being with another horse like that really seems to keep them calm and focused on moving forward, rather than getting stuck in place and gettin' all confused.
Isn't it crazy when they don't know what the heck an apple is?! Our horses are so spoiled with treats now that it doesn't matter WHAT we give them, they'll eat it! Our Arab LOVES Oreo cookies!! Also helps if you hafta give them pills - you just mix them in with the normal treats and they scarf 'em right down!
Keep us informed of your progress! I really enjoy training young horses, but right now don't have any to work with, so I'll live vicariously through you! Although my father-in-law wants to give us his 2 year old Haflinger filly to train, so I should be back at it shortly!
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Bailey
Humps N Horns
The Sky Is The Limit
Posts: 94
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Post by Bailey on Oct 8, 2005 7:06:02 GMT -5
Two weekends before we brought him home I spent a couple days at the ranch. We worked with him Saturday morning, night, and Sunday afternoon. He learned steps 1,2,3 that fast, and didnt have a problem with it. Well, except for lunging. He was smart for about 5 minutes, then went absolutely crazy & was all confused, I think he ended up flippin over backwards once because of it. We put the blanket & saddle on without a problem, he hardly jittered at all. Driving, we did that for about 5 minutes & he had it down pat.
When we went down Wednesday night there wasnt much of a problem getting him in the trailer. He pulled back once, then kinda just hopped in. He stood with no problem. Lol, good balance- he only fell over once =P
Today will be the fun day though- we're putting him in with the other horse.
I'm trying to keep a daily "journal" of what I do with him, just so I can look back & understand why he didnt do this, or what we need to work on, stuff like that. I might eventually post it in an online journal. I'll be sure to give you the website if I do, Dana.
Bailey
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Post by BucknSpin on Oct 10, 2005 10:26:26 GMT -5
Hey, keeping a journal is a great idea! Hook me up with that if you post one on-line. I sure hope that he's not going to have the tendancy to flip over every time he panics. Some horses do that , so if he's already flipped over once, just be very, very aware of that potential once you start riding him and also be careful that you don't worsen the situation by pulling back on the reins if he rears up. But I'm sure you already knew that! Anyhow, keep us posted on your progress, and please be careful!
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Bailey
Humps N Horns
The Sky Is The Limit
Posts: 94
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Post by Bailey on Oct 10, 2005 16:50:35 GMT -5
I think it he was flipped over more because he wanted to go one way and I said no. But I agree with you, I'll have to be really careful for a while, just to make sure its not a reoccuring thing (I reallly hope not).
One thing I'm REALLY going to have to work on is things around his back feet. This is going to be the horse I rope off of, and right now, he hates things around his feet.
I'll keep you posted though!
Bailey
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Post by BucknSpin on Oct 10, 2005 19:44:28 GMT -5
Well, since you're a fan of Clinton Anderson, then you already know how to get him used to stuff wrapping around or touching his legs and feet. Just keep working on that and eventually, he get used to it.
Since you're going to use him to rope off of, here's another thought: Is he used to cattle yet? Funny how horses freak at stuff you really think they shouldn't. A friend of mine has cattle and when he brought this one horse home after buying him, he just threw him in his pasture with his cattle because that's where he's always kept his other horses. Never gave it any thought that the horse MAY never have seen cows! That horse went ballistic and tore down fences and whatever else was in his way to get away from those cows and really messed himself up in the process. Plus on top of having to treat the damage the horse did to himself, he also had to chase the cattle back into the pasture and repair fence and stuff - definately not on his list of things to do that day!
Pigs and llamas are other types of critters that horses seem to have issues with, but somehow I doubt you'll be roping any of them, although it certainly would give a new twist to the sport of roping! ;D
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Bailey
Humps N Horns
The Sky Is The Limit
Posts: 94
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Post by Bailey on Oct 10, 2005 21:13:13 GMT -5
The people I bought him from have probably 10-12 head of longhorns that the horses are pastured with. And Jax was put into a dry lot with two fat cattle for a couple weeks. So I know he's seen them, but as far as I saw, the horses & cattle kept to themselves. We dont have any cattle, but friends of ours do, so when the time comes, I'm sure I'll be able to go out & ride with them and stuff like that.
We used to have llamas, but then sold them cuz they were buttholes & all we did was spend money on them, and work and work and work, for not even being able to touch them.
Bailey
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