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Post by june on Aug 11, 2008 14:30:01 GMT 1
What a great story. Little steps build into great leaps - of the desirable kind!
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laura
Grand Prix Poster
going for a splash
Posts: 3,867
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Post by laura on Aug 11, 2008 14:41:02 GMT 1
weeeeelll almost 2 years after she arrived with me I saw the advert in a horse magazine and I got in touch with the breeder myself. Turned out the person who brought her to the centre was the one accused of stealing her (and others). Person has not to my knowledge ever been arrested or charged ... she did a disappearing act. Heard a lot about her alleged activities after the fact and it seriously dented my trust in my judgement of people for a long time after. I am just very thankful that the breeder agreed that Taz could stay with me . I doubt very bery much if I could have started all over again with another horse if she had gone back ......... even though I am sure she would have loved having babies
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Post by rj on Aug 11, 2008 15:15:59 GMT 1
Mmm, so I wonder if said person is still stealing/handling stolen horses. Well done you for contacting the owner. There are quite a few who haven't - which is why they're still missing. In most cases when owners have found their stolen horses after years missing, they are happy to leave them (without demanding payment - after all they have usually received an insurance pay out) where they are settled. As long as they are assured the person bought in good faith and they reserve the right to been given first refusal if circumstances change.
I am sure Taz is happier and more fulfilled than being a brood mare. In the scheme of things yes, mares have foals, but in the commercial world that can sometimes be stressful.
Everything happens for a reason, and I'm sure it's been a rewarding journey for you all. Long may it continue!
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laura
Grand Prix Poster
going for a splash
Posts: 3,867
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Post by laura on Aug 11, 2008 19:51:48 GMT 1
It would not surprise me if she is I think if ever Taz were stolen form me I think it would be the worry of where she would have ended up that would be the worst. Like you say if the horse ends up with good people in the end then thats more the point really. Like eveyone else its thinking of the horse you love doing the rounds of the markets and dealers or from home to home that would be the distressing part for me. I dont like people who steal anyway .... but when the "property" is a sentient being that has formed a relationship with a human family then the theft is far, far worse in my mind. Given Taz's fears when she arrived any transportation must have been terrifying and the treatment she received horrible . I saw the breeder with all the rest of Taz's family .... they were all relaxed and they surrounded him when he went in the field. Taz's dad was a wonderfully kind stallion that I was in the stable with within seconds of meeting him
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Post by jennyg on Aug 13, 2008 14:09:00 GMT 1
Laura I've only just joined this DG and joined after having read your post about the success you've had with Taz as it really cheered me up and made me feel much more positive about the experience I'm having with my horse. I've only had her 3 months, but it doesn't feel like an awful lot has gone to plan and I was starting to feel rather down hearted so decided to try the natural horsemanship approach. I really am a total novice when it comes to IH and have everything to learn, but really hope by taking this kinder approach I can make some progress with my horse. I'm still at the stage where 'I'm yet to be convinced' because I've never tried Monty Roberts/Kelly Marks techniques so am yet to witness their positive effect, but it's certainly the route I want to go down. My horse has a dominant personality at times and can act rather like a child having a tantrum when it comes to grooming - lots of pawing of front feet to the point of almost taking my knee caps off! She also sometimes kicks out when 'ticklish' areas are touched (kicks are usually fairly half hearted and she hasn't hurt me yet - touch wood). To make matters more difficult she may also be a head shaker. She has 2 sides to her personality - she can be a complete dope or act like rather a spoilt madam!! We also have some 'gate opening' as well as mounting issues!! So it's been hard work but I've bought the Kelly Marks books and am working my way through them. John Jones would be my nearest associate as I'm the Herefordshire side of Worcestershire so I'm going to take your advice and try to get help sooner rather than later (although may have to save some pennies!). I'm also experiencing negative comments from the yard owner who thinks I've 'gone soft' and that a good whack will solve everything. I'd have thought if smacking horses was the way forward any fool could train a horse but they don't seem to see things that way. They just think I'm bonkers with my more softly, softly approach!! I just wanted to let you know that I was at the verge of considering selling Stella as she really has been intimidating me at times but it was your post that has given me the positive momentum to keep trying and not give up. She's a lovely horse really and I don't want to let her down by just giving up and passing her on. I want her to turn into a beautifully mannered horse that's a joy to own, which will hopefully set her up for the rest of her life and help ensure she never receives rough treatment from anyone. So thank you Laura for cheering me up and also convincing me to join the DG and give the intelligent horsemanship approach a chance to help!
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Post by chrisbetson on Aug 13, 2008 15:47:55 GMT 1
Hi jennyg,
Your horse sounds much like mine - there is plenty on the DG about her so I won't go into detail, but in trying to deal with her in an IH way there is one thing I would say - don't go soft on her to the point where she doesn't know where the boundaries are that define acceptable and not acceptable behaviour. I made this mistake and have now had to come back to a firmer way of handling her - firm but not cruel - clear, not wishy washy - you need to build her trust in you and be someone worth following!
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Post by jennyg on Aug 13, 2008 18:04:24 GMT 1
Hi Chris, I will have a trawl through and find the threads about your horse to see how they compare and whether some of the advice you've received will help me.
I think you're right that I need to be careful not to go too soft and I think I need some help in terms of the best methods to use with her.
I may write a post under Horse Help to see what others think.
Thanks for your advice though and I'll read posts on your horse with interest!
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laura
Grand Prix Poster
going for a splash
Posts: 3,867
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Post by laura on Aug 13, 2008 22:45:45 GMT 1
a very warm welcome to you jenny....... I am glad the thread has given you some thoughts about where to go with Stella. I echo Chris about the boundaries and not being too soft ... your YO def knows nothing about IH / NH if she thinks that it is about being soft. It is about aiming for softnass from the horse and in the aids ..... but thats the same really asalmost any other good and thoughtful method correctly applied I don't normally plug merchandise .... but you might consider one of the shirts IH sells with the logo " dont beat the horse beat the problem" ..... and wear it around the YO She has 2 sides to her personality - she can be a complete dope or act like rather a spoilt madam! shes not a welshie is she by any chance I am not far from you ....... I am in Herefordshire. You would have to pass us to get to John The books are great and will give you some ideas of groundwork to do with Stella ... imo that is the MOST important thing to do before you even consider riding. Three months is not that long but imo you do need to deal with the boundaries issues asap before she does hurt you .... My horse has a dominant personality at times and can act rather like a child having a tantrum when it comes to grooming - lots of pawing of front feet to the point of almost taking my knee caps off! She also sometimes kicks out when 'ticklish' areas are touched (kicks are usually fairly half hearted and she hasn't hurt me yet - touch wood). To make matters more difficult she may also be a head shaker. another though though ...... is when she is being touched / groomed the only time she acts like this .. and is it all the time or is it more / only when she is in season. Some horses are like some people, very tickly and the daily gorrming we consider essential might be horrible to her ... just a thought to think about. However do post on the horse help threads and you will get more views and suggestions However I suppose a last word of caution ...... dont hang onto a horse that is not suited to you for the wrong reason or a horse that is dangerous if its too risky , be sensible ( not like me )
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Post by jennyg on Aug 14, 2008 13:29:59 GMT 1
Hi Laura,
Stella isn't a Welshie (although I have met a few Welshies so I know what you mean, they can have attitude!), she's a middle weight Irish cob. I must get myself organised and add a picture of her - she's very pretty!
You may well be right that she just doesn't much like being groomed. I remember the first time I groomed her, she stood like an angel and I thought how nice it was that she seemed to really like it! However I wonder whether that was just down to wariness of being in a new environment because it didn't take her long to start being rather bolshy.
I would say she does show her worst behaviour when groomed so maybe grooming is horrible to her - & she dislikes one side more than the other too. In many other ways she's very good - bless her!
She's basically very impatient - paws the ground when left tied up and not getting any attention, kicks stable door etc... I'll post about her under Horse Help so I don't make your thread about your success story go off the point!
Sadly I have been considering that she just might not be the right horse for me and perhaps at some point I may need to decide to find her a new home. I'm going to persist for now though and see how it goes - you never know, maybe I'll be posting on the Success Stories too at some point!! That would be fantastic!
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Post by chrisbetson on Aug 14, 2008 17:26:32 GMT 1
Jenny,
Scully used to paw if left - now she doesn't.
She gets tetchy when in season and won't be touched unless I take her for a short walk and make her back up before grooming - then she'll just go to sleep while being groomed.
Remember she will reflect your feelings, if you are tense when grooming her then she will be tense - if you a relaxed then she will relax.
I have found that if you are really positive and confident then she will be an angel!
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Jamie-Lee
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Post by Jamie-Lee on Aug 30, 2008 17:05:53 GMT 1
such a wonderfull story......
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Aug 31, 2008 8:56:16 GMT 1
I've just read this thread with tears in my eyes. You are a brave and determined woman Laura and you and Taz deserve every bit of the success you are having now. You have my greatest admiration. J xxx
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laura
Grand Prix Poster
going for a splash
Posts: 3,867
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Post by laura on Sept 3, 2008 19:39:33 GMT 1
thank you very much for your kind comments
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