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Post by KimT on Feb 15, 2013 11:47:14 GMT 1
Brilliant. I am glad you are making progress.
My first horse was a handful. Not first horse material and she didnt like being in the yard on her one so I got a headcollar which unbuckled on the nose too. I would put the headpiece around her neck up by her head (not tied up to a lead rope though) and when I took her bridle off I could grab it if needs be then did the nose bit up. Something else to consider.
Can I assume that he is in 24/7? I know this winter has been very hard for yard owners but you may find he will relax when out again. Even if its for a couple of hours.
Try to remember as well that if something spooks a horse they may jump away or move off quickly then settle perfectly fine. One of my mares was like that with rugs when I got her. she needed to see the rug before you put it on her and she could jump forward when having one taken off. I just let her react then she would turn and look at me like 'Was that it?'. She is perfectly fine to put rugs on/take them off now. It's just repetition. She doesnt like standing still to be tacked up either. lol. More fidgetty than anything else.
Does he chuck his head up when he pulls back? Am just wondering if he has caught the bit on his teeth before when having the bridle removed. It sounds like he is getting used to having the bridle taken on/off now but may be something to consider.
How was he kept by his previous owner? In/out 24/7. It may just be that he needs to get used to being stabled on a busyish yard. Which will take time.
No, nothing easy is fun or rewarding. Whereabouts are you? It may be that there are people around who may be able to help.
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Post by ggibbons on Feb 15, 2013 14:42:28 GMT 1
Yep slowly but surely we're getting there :-)
He's been turned out most days, sometimes only for a few hours and at other times, In one day and then out the next, due to the weather and very wet and muddy pastures. Can't wait for spring to finally arrive.
Yes I think he does chuck his head back when pulling back.
We are based in Bishops Stortford (Herts)
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Post by curlytobiano on Feb 15, 2013 20:05:51 GMT 1
hi Gary and welcome - really enjoyed reading your posts - you seem like the model student of IH - wanting to learn and looking at your own behaviour to help your horse. Sounds like you will be a natural at IH handling as well as riding as it seems you must be! :-)
I was always taught to untack leaving the reins round the horse's neck, until I had the headcollar on - but on one occasion (returning from hunting and i had the strength of wet tissue paper) my mare got away from me with the reins round her neck and trashed her bridle! - luckily not injuring herself. So just be a bit aware of that. I now have a headcollar with a buckle on the top of the noseband so i can put it on over the bridle then undo it and adjust it to be under the bridle so i can take that off. (You're a bloke you will work out how to do that!!).
Good luck with horse owning - you will really enjoy Monty - and I too would wholeheartedly recommend getting an RA. IME they get very similar results to what Monty does! :-)
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Post by ggibbons on Feb 19, 2013 18:40:11 GMT 1
Hi, thank you for your comment and your experience with the reins and untacking. I've been working on getting Pip to stand still over the last few days as Monty did some work at the demonstration with this. So far its been paying dividends and Pip hasn't gone wandering during tacking up / down. I think also that he's settling in to his new surroundings and getting used to my wife and I. Yesterday we worked through some of the exercises in Kelly's perfect manners book and Pip was a real sweety. We also did some desensitisation work with him.
Its probably the wrong board to ask this question however I was wondering whether anyone can recommend an approach to noise desensitisation? as he seems very good with strange objects e.g. carrier bags etc (visual things) however he's a lot more prone to spook / get scared by noises.
I am definitely going to seek the guidance of our local RA can't wait.
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Post by KimT on Feb 20, 2013 11:02:38 GMT 1
Are the noises something that happens regularly on your yard? e.g. banging wheelbarrows. If so then I would say that he will get used to them gradually. If you are thinking of noises outside the yard e.g. bird scarers then you can definitely do work on that. I've not done noise work before but I know people have had success with a CD of the noise and a CD player. You would need to build his confidence in the same way you would a spooky object e.g. start with a bottle with stones in, work up to tapping a metal barrel then banging it....... etc.
Always start where the horse is comfortable and work your way up gradually. If they get a little upset then go back to their comfort zone again to build their confidence.
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Post by ggibbons on Mar 7, 2013 15:02:50 GMT 1
Hi Guys, I thought I'd give you a quick update:-
After speaking with my Local RA, I'm in the process of changing his feed as it is thought that he has some gastric issues which are resulting in a sore back. I have also had his teeth checked and again these required some attention.
So bless the poor boy he's been uncomfortable since we've had him, add to that the stress of a new home and its amazing that he's been so good. I am now concentrating on making the Pipster a happy horse.
I'm not sure this will be a quick cure to his bucks when out hacking however if he is happy and healthy our learning and progress together will be much more fun. Thanks for all your comments. I'll keep you in the loop if you're interested, thanks Gary
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Post by portiabuzz on Mar 21, 2013 13:48:15 GMT 1
just read all your posts, wow your doing really well and im so impressed you are following IH methods and are willing to learn Im glad you have got Pip checked and i hope this will help, am sure he will grow in confidence now the pain issues are being resolved. Best of luck with Pip in the future and thanks for posting xx
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Post by portiabuzz on Mar 21, 2013 13:49:11 GMT 1
ps do keep updating us
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