Despooking pics. Is Flynn four?

[wabuska]

First of all, no hat, sorry, stupid. So immersed in this I forgot the basics.

Ungroomed, unclipped winter Flynn too.

We had a very hairy ride yesterday (and not just because of lack of clipping), so I thought we would spend some time de-spooking on the last day of the year. I'm feeling laid back, but Flynn's on edge this past fortnight. When we started I was horrified that he wouldn't even let me put a bag in my hand, crumpled small, anywhere near him. He shouldn't be that afraid as a regular hacking horse. Poor boy.

Turned away, and gradually approached. Bag touching and then going away as I had watched Monty do in a demo on TV. This is where we got too on a schooling whip. Skid marks in the yard from when we started. He was literally buckling at the knees but started to trust and gradually we got here. Will repeat in a day or two. He tries so hard it chokes me up. Loose rope appears to be essential, plus about a hundred repititions, ground to skin and back.

I'm increasingly convinced this horse is four years old not five and the passport is fiction.

[iammizz]

love it. well done you x

[rhillahorse]

Oh, good boy Flynn !

Bidi is almost rolling her eyes at him in the last pic!

[Louise C]

My Flynn still shakes at things - he'll be 13 next year! He takes ages to get acclimatised to stuff - just that type of horse - but over the last few years is a lot better:-)

[steve]

I took a bag of Redigrass into my 17+hh 3yr old's stable the other day and emptied out the last few bits that wouldnt fit in my feed bin into his bucket - he didn't flinch or bat an eyelid as the bag rustled and waved about! Then impressed with his brave behaviour I took the bag over to him to meet him - again not a flinch or a flicker!! So then feeling all cocky I put the bag on his back - he had a rug on so it wasn't so bad - he was a bit less impressed but still fine with it - then moved the bag over his hindquaters and down the back legs - well you would have thought a lion had jumped on his back!! He ran backwards and into the corner of his stable, I managed to coax him out and let him meet the monster again! From the front and near his body he was fine but he didnt want it near his legs - funny really but I guess there is a bit of wild horse in there somewhere!!

I spent a bit longer scrunching the bag up and letting him sniff it then ran my hands all over him before leaving him to his readigrass!!

I'll have to try again in a few days time and will have him walking over plastic bags in a few months!! Well I'll probably walk over them and Max will stand and look at me like i'm some numb-nut!!

[wabuska]

That's interesting Steve. There was one spot, behind Flynn's off fore that he would not tolerate the bag. I expect it's because if their legs are cut from under them, that's it. I'm so ashamed at the state of my horse looking at those shots.... we've gone feral!

[laura]

I'm so ashamed at the state of my horse looking at those shots.... we've gone feral!

and whats wrong with looking like au naturel

you ought to see our lot ;D

[wabuska]

You know Laura, I cannot pull a mane. It's like theoretical physics to me! My neighbour has given me a lovely wooden handled pulling comb in desperation!

[daisysp8]

Oh bless that boy Kanga .... He is in his winter woolies, i always smile and think how nice its is to be wrapped up warm against the cold. I`m the same in winter, i look like the wild woman of Bornio lol !!

It always makes me laugh come summer, as i loose 2 stone in clothing lol ... He`s a muddy winter mess, but at least he`s warm .... I used to have a dapple grey pone .. he`s now more of a muddy bay lol !!

[steve]

To be honest I've been really lucky with Max, he's not a silly or spooky horse despite being a warmblood and he's well over 17hh now! In summer he looks like black beauty, in winter he looks like a mud monster - well the bits that aren't covered by his rug and neck cover!! His tail is like a solid mass of mud!!

I have given up with my grey horse this year!! I will just wait for warmer weather (about July!!) and hose the mud off!! He hates being groomed and I hate breathing all the dust in so we get along just fine :-)

[pinkpony]

I think he looks quite brave Kanga! What makes you think he is 4 not 5? surely a - horse passport couldnt be fiction now could it?? I thought they were fail safe!!!!!

And LOL steve....I have a stinky dog a bit like that!

[horsey123]

Dec 31, 2008 13:22:09 GMT 1 @wabuska said:

That's interesting Steve. There was one spot, behind Flynn's off fore that he would not tolerate the bag. I expect it's because if their legs are cut from under them, that's it. I'm so ashamed at the state of my horse looking at those shots.... we've gone feral!

bring him to my yard ad he would look like a posh clean horse
i have even up tryig to keep 8 horses clean

hehe i think he is beig quite brave for his first time ad he is oly a youngster

[wabuska]

Well it's a lovely moment Horsey123 when you feel them give. He was darting back and finally after about 30 up and downs to one spot he stopped, shuddered, but stood. As I carried on up and down his body, his head came down. Feeling and seeing the progress in one session is deeply rewarding I must say. I don't know. He's immature in his outlook, even for a five year old, but then they are all different aren't they. He's teaching me so much this boy.

[sara]

bless him being all brave

[greyhorses]

I find this quite interesting as I think my horses would have the same look in their eyes if I approached them with a bag on a stick. To them I'm saying it's something I'm afraid to touch (by having it on the end of a stick) but I'm going to rub it all over you.

I guess what I'm trying to find out is why you're doing this. Is he scared of bags or funny about you brushing a certain area? Normally with my boys I give them a reason why I'm asking something of them - i.e I want you to move over so I can come past or pick your feed out or even so they're stood properly so it makes it easier to pick feet out etc....