Post by jen526 on Dec 15, 2015 21:34:24 GMT 1
Next step with young 2 yr old Doodle, going out "buddying" off my 19 year old Little Joey. On the whole, after training at home, our first trip on the forest went very well. The local herd running on the forest were not exactly helpful, however, that is forest life and a herd of mares galloping past you is just something that happens, (granted not normally 3 times on one ride) though I would prefer it hadn't happened on our first "buddy" venture!
So, we set off, I don't have a second rider and horse to ride out with for this, so my kind husband was on foot with us, myself riding Joey and leading Doodle. The local herd initially greeted us by galloping past twice, adrenalin did rise both in Joey and Doodle, but without incident I left my husband behind to go for a little wander with just me and the two boys, all very happy and calm. Thinking to myself "this is going rather well" I decided to head back towards my husband rather than push that bit further - good decision. I have no idea why, be it boredom, fed up being led off Joey, challenging, residue coltish behaviour - Doodle started to bite my leg, with long leather boots on it made no impact on me what so ever, he then progressed to trying to bite Joey's neck/shoulder. I opted to just swinging the end of the lead rope to make it hard for him to make contact with either myself or Joey. Joey is partially sighted in the right eye, that's the only side I can safely hold Doodle due to historic injury on my left side, swapping sides is not an option for me to try. At one point he looked to me as though he was contemplating rearing (he likes rearing in play in the field), however, he didn't, but I do feel the thought is there. But, given he didn't rear, there is little point wasting time worrying about something that hasn't and may not happen, just a note for the feel that it could. It lasted for about 5 mins, as we returned to my husband he was being better in his manners (not perfect). The reason why, I honestly don't know and probably never will unless Doodle learns to speak English, and other than to satisfy/justify in my own mind, the reason could be anything for Doodle. Soon after which I did need to hand Doodle over to my husband as the local herd decided to gallop straight towards/past us again - my Little Joey felt ready to burst, I wasn't sure if he would or not, happens he didn't so I was able to take Doodle back home again with no further attempt to bite.
So, the biting whilst being "buddied", How would you deal with this?, what would your plan be looking forward? I would love opinions, this is the first time I have ever "buddied" another equine. Doodle is only 2 years old, has been walked out on the forest in hand, prep'd on our own land where there was no biting issues. The behaviour historically showed itself in hand too, backing him up in hand and he promptly stopped. For those that don't know, he is part bottle reared, been out with our herd to learn his manners, which he mostly has now. I do not think he has been miss-treated in any way, in day to day management when he arrived with us he used to bite a lot, no longer does.
Compulsory photos will have to wait, photo bucket does not wish to work, guess its due to the Xmas tree lights the photos would show a very calm young pony that looks as though he has done this many times before x
So, we set off, I don't have a second rider and horse to ride out with for this, so my kind husband was on foot with us, myself riding Joey and leading Doodle. The local herd initially greeted us by galloping past twice, adrenalin did rise both in Joey and Doodle, but without incident I left my husband behind to go for a little wander with just me and the two boys, all very happy and calm. Thinking to myself "this is going rather well" I decided to head back towards my husband rather than push that bit further - good decision. I have no idea why, be it boredom, fed up being led off Joey, challenging, residue coltish behaviour - Doodle started to bite my leg, with long leather boots on it made no impact on me what so ever, he then progressed to trying to bite Joey's neck/shoulder. I opted to just swinging the end of the lead rope to make it hard for him to make contact with either myself or Joey. Joey is partially sighted in the right eye, that's the only side I can safely hold Doodle due to historic injury on my left side, swapping sides is not an option for me to try. At one point he looked to me as though he was contemplating rearing (he likes rearing in play in the field), however, he didn't, but I do feel the thought is there. But, given he didn't rear, there is little point wasting time worrying about something that hasn't and may not happen, just a note for the feel that it could. It lasted for about 5 mins, as we returned to my husband he was being better in his manners (not perfect). The reason why, I honestly don't know and probably never will unless Doodle learns to speak English, and other than to satisfy/justify in my own mind, the reason could be anything for Doodle. Soon after which I did need to hand Doodle over to my husband as the local herd decided to gallop straight towards/past us again - my Little Joey felt ready to burst, I wasn't sure if he would or not, happens he didn't so I was able to take Doodle back home again with no further attempt to bite.
So, the biting whilst being "buddied", How would you deal with this?, what would your plan be looking forward? I would love opinions, this is the first time I have ever "buddied" another equine. Doodle is only 2 years old, has been walked out on the forest in hand, prep'd on our own land where there was no biting issues. The behaviour historically showed itself in hand too, backing him up in hand and he promptly stopped. For those that don't know, he is part bottle reared, been out with our herd to learn his manners, which he mostly has now. I do not think he has been miss-treated in any way, in day to day management when he arrived with us he used to bite a lot, no longer does.
Compulsory photos will have to wait, photo bucket does not wish to work, guess its due to the Xmas tree lights the photos would show a very calm young pony that looks as though he has done this many times before x