xxx
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Post by xxx on Dec 28, 2006 19:28:29 GMT 1
Took D for a hack today. Now, we have pigs up ahill from our house, which he hates with a passion and akes ages to get past, even going home. So, started up the hill, trotting to get some momentum, he realised where we were going, planted and bucked. Ok, fine, got him going again, then got to his 'napping' station (bend in the road) and stopped. So I worked out a system of 'walk on' little kick, 'walk on', big kick, 'walk on' use reins down either side of his neck (stupid me forgot my stick). By the time we used this system a few times, he was still taking 2 steps then stopping, but would then walk on after the first gentle kick, big improvement from the normal bucking/spinning. So got past that and was musing, he is not clipped and has a HUGE coat, but even after his hack (not that long admittedly) he was not sweated, not even damp just a little, I don't know how to describe it? It's the first year I haven't clipped and it's very interesting to see how well he copes. So an interesting day really.
In saying that, took S hunting and he came back sweated from head to toe (not clipped, not much coat) but that was from nervous pshyco behaviour! Poor boyo has big scabs round his mouth, put sudocreme on and most of them came off though, don't think there's much else I can do!
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Post by fin on Dec 28, 2006 22:16:34 GMT 1
I guess their thermo-regulation systems must adapt--mind you, mine NEVER grows much of a coat and the only time I ever saw him sweat was in July, when even I thought it was warm.
THe pig thing is odd though, isn't it? So many horses loathe pigs. I don't think there are very many round here so I'm not sure what mine would make of them (he's not a fan of sheep and tends to attack goats so I hope I never come across a pig TBH).
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blueali
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water horse vs. land horse
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Post by blueali on Dec 28, 2006 22:20:58 GMT 1
The ancesters of pigs (big wild boars) used to eat the ancesters of horses (when they were really small). So its quite a sensible instict, just a little out dated! I find some of the horses just sweat more than the others no matter what clip they have. I haven't clipped Blue at all this year and it takes a lot to get her just a bit sweaty. But she copes better with the heat in the summer, probably being white is important, and being very laid back.
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suzieq
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The mind is like a parachute, only really useful when open
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Post by suzieq on Dec 28, 2006 22:45:11 GMT 1
A friend of mine lives down near the new forest, just recently their was an article in the local newspaper about a boar attacking a horse and rider and physically knocking the horse to the ground!!! So D's fear is as valid as poor Perds, we have a boar and whatever a girl pig is called just outside our front gates, we can get past if they are at the other side of the small field.. if they are at the fence line or grunt we have to go forward, go back, sidestep yield our bloody quarters and crab our way down the road.. pressure, release here we go, its a monumental pain in the butt!!!
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jinglejoys
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Post by jinglejoys on Dec 28, 2006 23:14:20 GMT 1
"we have a boar and whatever a girl pig is called " SOW , suzieq,...SOW! ;D
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suzieq
Grand Prix Poster
The mind is like a parachute, only really useful when open
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Post by suzieq on Dec 28, 2006 23:21:50 GMT 1
Thats it!!
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Post by eileen on Dec 28, 2006 23:38:49 GMT 1
xxx you did well getting him past the pigs, i wonder if it is the noise they make that scares them as well? we had a guinea fowl in our field and my 2 were absolutely terrified of it as it made a noise they hadnt heard before, i hadnt either! LOL! eileen xx
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xxx
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Post by xxx on Dec 28, 2006 23:50:43 GMT 1
Its when the herd of adolescent boars decide to charge towards you, then you hang on for dear life! I don't know..but you'd think 2yrs after meeting them, they'd all be happy enough? Oddly the ones who were here when the pigs moved in are the worst, the horses we've bought since then aren't half as bad! (and its the other connie who is bad with them too!) Oh yes, first time S met the chicken houses up the road, that was cause for concern!
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Post by jen1 on Dec 29, 2006 4:08:12 GMT 1
"note to ones self" get a pig for spook busting,lol
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Post by Amanda Dolby on Dec 29, 2006 10:47:34 GMT 1
Went on a ride with friends who keep there horses with pigs! met NEW pigs and they were petrified. - So much for spook busting. Minw hate pigs despite having lived "next door" to them for 2 years. Horsey seems to take most offence when the piggy ears flap.
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Post by jill on Dec 29, 2006 10:58:53 GMT 1
The ultimate in spook busting (or "flooding" which is what it really was) - one of my few days hunting Jess it was all exciting stuff and we went wherever we needed to go with the rest of the field when we all stopped to open a gate out of a farm yard and realised we were surrounded by pigs, which had up to then scared the **** out of her. She looked and said "Oh, look, pigs - well, come on lets get on hunting" and that was that. I guess the answer to pigs is distraction techniques!!!
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Post by wendyihts on Dec 29, 2006 12:00:27 GMT 1
Spook busting is not necessarily flooding, it could also be progressive desensitisation. The two processes are different, with different consequences.
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Post by Stella on Dec 29, 2006 13:05:09 GMT 1
Just what I was going to say Wendy ;D
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Post by jill on Dec 29, 2006 13:25:27 GMT 1
Yes, I do know but I was pointing out the Jess suddenly finding herself among pigs is flooding, rather than de sensitisation. Spook busting could be a variety of techniques
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xxx
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Post by xxx on Dec 29, 2006 19:02:51 GMT 1
There is something about pigs that makes them particularly scary though, ad not easy to overcome, even if one day they'll mooch past, or stop to say hello, sniff them all over, the next they will turn themselves inside out to avoid them! OF course, I think different pigs must smell different, the herds round us are constantly changing.
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