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Post by sarahlev on Jan 8, 2011 13:21:24 GMT 1
One of my many excuses for not doing much with my horses is "they might not like it". But what do they think of doing stuff with us humans? I mean ordinary stuff - groundwork, schooling, hacking. Do they enjoy it, or just tolerate it and look forward to getting back to the field? Or maybe they don't think in those terms at all. Please discuss
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Post by jennyb on Jan 8, 2011 13:28:29 GMT 1
Gazdag LOVES work, he loves learning new things and going different places. But he is super bright, he is one of the cleverest horses I have ever met. I think a lot depends on their temperament - the more laid back ones might not be bothered if they didn't work, but I think most sound, healthy horses enjoy doing things and seeing the world with their human.
Gazdag has started learning how to jump and he thinks it's wonderful, he really enjoys it. Unfortunately he also thinks he knows all there is to know about jumping after two sessions and is a bit too cocky, lol!
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Post by Catrin on Jan 8, 2011 15:37:40 GMT 1
Yes, I have special inside informers that say so. They enjoy being useful, they like variety as we do and some have very specific preferences and ambitions.
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Post by cookie on Jan 8, 2011 16:29:20 GMT 1
Well after 12 months off due to injury and my preganancy my boy is LOVING doing stuff, he really is the most settled I have seen him in a while even tho we are still longlining in walk cos my schedule is hectic and just when I think I'm getting somewhere it snows! But he is quite obviously settled and willing, bright in his step and just even nicer to be around, so I think he's enjoying it choose the right task for them and away you go
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Post by cookie on Jan 8, 2011 16:33:44 GMT 1
And following jennys point about laid back ones not being bothered, I might have put my boy in that group until these past few weeks. I've had to keep it varied tho, if he gets bored I'm sure he won't enjoy it
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gillmcg
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Post by gillmcg on Jan 8, 2011 16:51:38 GMT 1
One of my many excuses for not doing much with my horses is " they might not like it". In my humble opinion and experience if you start 'work' with your horse thinking they 'might not' like it that means they won't like it....at all!! You do know they're telepathic don't you? ;D Horse thought process goes something like this: "Here she comes. Oh. She thinks I might not like this. Ah. What makes her think that? Must know something I don't. Well. Shan't like it then." Personally I think it's really important how the human feels about it - all other things being equal that is i.e. not painful, blowing a gale, sideways rain, etc etc. And, the relationship you have built up with the horse - especially having their trust and confidence.
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Post by lisap on Jan 8, 2011 17:10:10 GMT 1
Depends on how you go about things with your horsey as to whether they llike or dislike their activities.
We've all seen horses drilled for hours by riders, or strapped down or not really understanding what is being asked, their riders with grim faces and furrowed brows, or sighing in frustration. Strangely, the horses look pretty fed up or miserable too....
Our lot come cantering up the field whinnying and vying with each other as to who can shove their head in the halter first. They are birght eyed and love getting out and about, and their 'schooling' is broken down into small steps so they get lots of 'wins' and feel so proud of themselves! As a result, it doesn't matter whether its a trip on the box, a local hack or some time in the arena, they like their work and get very bored and tetchy if left in the field for ages. All of them were like doggys with two tails when they started coming out of the field again after the big freeze.
So yes, done right, horses *love* doing stuff with us humans! ;D
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Post by kirsten on Jan 8, 2011 17:45:59 GMT 1
Totally agree with all of the above! After having a year off from even groundwork my 2 are starting to be asked to do things again (like being led about, ridden even!) and the change in their attitude is huge! One has massively decreased his bullying of the herd and he puts his ears forward when I approach instead of grumping. Mind you, I feel better for the first time on about a year! Yes, when they understand what is asked of them and they are able to achieve this I believe horses bred in domesticity are very happy. I do think that horses who have never been handled/ have been insensitively or improperly handled might just be happy to be left alone however...
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Post by petethebee on Jan 8, 2011 17:49:38 GMT 1
If you enjoy it, then they seem to. Ours get bored standing about. They don't walk away when they see us with halters, they stand and put their heads down for it to be put on. This indicates to me that they do enjoy it. We try to keep what they're doing interesting. Another one is that "Sam" who I'm hacking out at the moment needs to be asked to turn in at the entrance to home or she would carry on. She's got more "Go" in her than I have Whilst helping out at a Monty demo at Hartpury I have sat in the canteen and watched an incredibly bored horse being lunged on a single line around and around a very bored looking owner. The conclusion is you can make it interesting, or you can make them wish they'd never been caught.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2011 18:11:33 GMT 1
Yes, I find with my horse he really seems to love doing things I ask of him - BUT only if he understands. He really loves it when I say good boy and give him a rub for doing something right - far more than he enjoys the same rub in the field.
He does have preferences and I think it's realy important we listen to those. I think he's going to be an ideal trec or endurance horse because if he has a task involving some obstacle, he really gets stuck in and concentrates, but schooling without obstacles he doesn't find so interesting. But his main love is going out and about exploring new territory - he's always enjoyed it in hand and long linging and now he's enjoying it ridden too. Sometimes when I turn for home he swings his head round away from home like he's pointing with his nose saying he'd like to carry on!
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Post by sarahbing on Jan 8, 2011 18:33:46 GMT 1
Another one agreeing with the above. Murphy loves schooling and learning new things. He really has a spring in his step after a schooling session, but then I love it too ;D
He also loves hacking and exploring new places, but most of all he loves going out and competing (which is good!) He literally 'grows' and steps up a gear when we go out and produces some of his best work at competitions. He has a look in his eye at shows which just looks like he is having the time of his life! We both have a ball ;D
When and if he ever loses this buzz, I'll stop taking him and try something else...
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Post by sophielouise on Jan 8, 2011 18:46:35 GMT 1
I think it is like people - some do, some don't. Chester really liked doing work as he was very, very intelligent and became very difficult out of work, even just light work. It was part of my reason for having him PTS - I'd have loved to retire him and keep as even more of a pampered pet than he was, but he just wasn't sound enough to be worked lightly and was miserable and got quite dangerous to handle when doing nothing. Most other horses though I've met - I've no doubt they enjoy it at the time, especially with a varied workload - although do seem equally content with being horses in a field. I'd like to think that my share horse enjoys his work - especially his hacking, he definitely knows when he is at somewhere 'fun' (in his mind, somewhere he can re-live his racing youth ) and steps up a few gears hacking especially. I'm not so sure, that after all the snow we've had - that the indoor school is his most exciting place atm ... no matter how varied I make the sessions (nor is it mine ) !!
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Post by medicinepony on Jan 8, 2011 19:05:30 GMT 1
my lot squabble over who is going to get to come out and do some work. I can only manage a max of 3 per day and whover gets left out gets a bit grumpy
I bring them all in together into a big yard and after tea break I will go out and choose someone to work with and my bigest problem is that they all start pushing and shoving each other to get to the front.
then I wish I was more "normal" and had them all in individual stables and it would be easy to just walk up to a stable door and take out one horse, they would hate it though, im trying to compromise though and split them into two groups of 4 and 1 group of 3to amke it a bit easier so they all get a chance to do something
so yes I would have to say they like to do something, although I expect it depends on what they are being asked to do.
last year I retired the oldest who is about 22, he was really depressed and has been so muchg happier since being brought back into light work
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Leanne
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Post by Leanne on Jan 8, 2011 20:03:45 GMT 1
I think my cob wouldn't miss work much as he just loves to eat.
When he is out he does enjoy looking around and is interested in new places. He's really forward going when he's well.
But he would rather just eat food and grass. He's happiest when is stomach is full and having a food.
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Post by Mellymoo on Jan 8, 2011 20:28:44 GMT 1
Jos likes doing stuff, as long as it is fun for him and provides eating opportunities! He gets really excited when we go out for a hack, and he practically loads himself if we are off out in the trailer!
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