Post by jennymajor on Apr 4, 2011 18:08:03 GMT 1
Jack is a two year old colt belonging to a lady in Somerset. Sarah Weston has been out to spend a day with Jack and help his owner to learn some handling techniques. However, his owner is not at all confident to go in with Jack on her own.
As I live nearby and have experience of working with many semi- feral ponies, and having also trained with Sarah I have been going over to see Jack as much as I can over the last three weeks. We have made considerable progress using pressure and release. Jack has been touched all over the top of his back, his neck and head both with a feather duster and with hands. He has had the headcollar on several times and has been led around the pen in both directions. He really enjoys touch, which is a great reward for him, and loves interacting. He is very confident and really needs consistent and regular handling- which he is not receiving at the moment as I can only make it over a couple of times a week (I am not been paid to help, and work more than full time hours, and am trying to revise for my stage two course!!!!!) His owner cannot handle him herself as she is too frightened to go in and does not feel she has the confidence or technique to train him successfully. With this in mind she has decided to send Jack to Potters (slaughterhouse) next week, as she does not believe he has any quality of life in the barn that he has been in since he arrived in December.
He still needs a lot of handling as he is very bold and easily dominates people who are not confident. However, I know with correct (IH) consistent and regular handling he will be absolutely fine. It seems such a waste to send this striking pony to Potters, but at the same time he must go to a home with enough time patience and technique to give him the quality of life he needs. Can anyone help or offer any suggestions? I really am desperate to find a solution within the next few days. Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Many thanks.
As I live nearby and have experience of working with many semi- feral ponies, and having also trained with Sarah I have been going over to see Jack as much as I can over the last three weeks. We have made considerable progress using pressure and release. Jack has been touched all over the top of his back, his neck and head both with a feather duster and with hands. He has had the headcollar on several times and has been led around the pen in both directions. He really enjoys touch, which is a great reward for him, and loves interacting. He is very confident and really needs consistent and regular handling- which he is not receiving at the moment as I can only make it over a couple of times a week (I am not been paid to help, and work more than full time hours, and am trying to revise for my stage two course!!!!!) His owner cannot handle him herself as she is too frightened to go in and does not feel she has the confidence or technique to train him successfully. With this in mind she has decided to send Jack to Potters (slaughterhouse) next week, as she does not believe he has any quality of life in the barn that he has been in since he arrived in December.
He still needs a lot of handling as he is very bold and easily dominates people who are not confident. However, I know with correct (IH) consistent and regular handling he will be absolutely fine. It seems such a waste to send this striking pony to Potters, but at the same time he must go to a home with enough time patience and technique to give him the quality of life he needs. Can anyone help or offer any suggestions? I really am desperate to find a solution within the next few days. Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Many thanks.
