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Thread Six: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1414401/posts |
Posted on 03/21/2005 7:18:04 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
Previous threads:
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
"I put one on this filly the day she was born, while I was doing all my other imprinting stuff, and I've put it on her for a few minutes every day since. I'll probably start with lead training next week."
:o)
That's interesting. We did do imprinting with Dot, but I didn't know if you could over do it. ie, put the halter on. That is why we waited till the 2-3 day. This time I will include the halter as soon as it's born.
I just got done doing Rusty in the arena, cavaletti work. I'm pushing him a bit more then I have been, and that hitchity step showed up again, not a complete lock up, but I would say its still weak. Mack wants me to keep working with him so he could be sold as a barrel horse. But Harley will be the horse I take to the clinic.
Celia is still not here. She did call tho, she's running late. I'll ride Harley with her, and this evening Kristy is coming to ride, so I'll take Rocky out with her. Jenny was here at 8 to get Dot rode:) We are all excited about getting our horses in shape for the clinic. It's great to see the kids enthusiasm again.
Becky
We did haltering and restraining on the first day and days with Cadence... Restraining in a hug and not letting go, for a minute or two, and maneuvering the foal around by applying pressure to the chest or rump to move forward and back. After a few days, we added pressure to the halter to encourage movement, but not enforcement on the halter alone until the foal was several weeks. Always the foal was asked to go forward with the halter and then given pressure onbehind with either hands or a soft butt rope.
Did you/have you done the method of making the 'foal suitcase' with a long line?
I think the only way to overdo it is to rush halter training to the point where you get in tugging matches before their neck and coordination is strong enough and they can get hurt easily. It seems they always flip over backwards at least once, but when they are older, they can usually survive it unhurt.
I don't think you can OVER do it, but you can do it wrong. When you're trying to desensitize a spot, if you stop too soon, you actually end up SENSITIZING it. There's a good video on the subject called "Early Learning" and a book titled "Imprint Training". Both of them are by Dr. Robert Miller D.V.M. I've got the video and found it very helpful. I ordered them from Jeffers, but I'll bet you can get them a lot of places.
You've got quite the busy riding day going. Good for you... Keep us posted on Rusty, and while I encourage thoughtful consideration for improving this stifle hitch... I ~might~ say that if it isn't hurting him when it locks up, if he's just having to make a quick step to shake it, I would try to worry about it less. Out on trail and on ground with rocks, we all take hitchy steps when a footfall doesn't go exactly like we expected.
I just turned the horses out, and Cyn, still in heat, immediately backed right into Bay, who is no longer very interested, so he just took the opportunity to scratch and rub his face on her butt.
The look on HER face was hilarious, and I wished I had the camera. Disappointed, frustrated, and I think a little ~insulted~ at the lack of interest.
I have, and it works great. I may not be doing it the same way you do, but I'll bet it's similar. I take my 25ft soft cotton long line and slip the end through the noseband of the halter, then down between the front legs, then up and over the withers and back down to be snapped to itself. This way, when you pull on the lead, you're not putting any real pressure on the halter, it's all around the girth area. If I need to, I can take the excess lead on the other end and loop it behind to use as a butt rope. I'll take a picture of it this afternoon and post it tomorrow.
I just think she had the look on her face that a gal would get if she got all dolled up, put on somethin' sexy, and the guy walked in, flipped on the TV, sat down and scratched himself.
That is different, in that what I've done doesn't involve the halter at all. I run a loop around the butt, a loop around the chest, and grab all of them together over the back of the foal like a suitcase handle. You can move them backward or forward that way, and then a helper can apply pressure on the halter with a different leadrope and you work as a team. If your line management is good, you can lead the foal alone with just the halter and a butt rope around the back.
I'm interested in seeing your pics of your way!
Yeah, I had to come up with something that I could do by myself, as I seldom have any help. I can hoist the little bugger up in a trailer this way if I have to, mostly by pulling on the butt rope part. The lead running through the halter just keeps their head pointed in the right direction. I don't like to force them this way, I'd much rather put their Mama in there and let them take their time about learning to get in on their own, but if you need to get them to the vet or something, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Hi everyone, I'm not sure I'm caught up on all the posts yet but I'm trying :)
She is just precious :) Thank you for the pictures.
Hey thanks for all the info.
I had Dot leading fairly quickly. I have never used a butt rope. When I put the halter on her with the lead rope, I just pretty much went with her for awhile, then when she got use to that, I would stand in the correct postion and move forward kissing to her, when she came I stopped and petted and praised her. It didn't take long. Like you guys, I never had much help. I've found stuff like that I'd rather do by myself. Too many people giving directions gets me flustered:)
I rode with Celia about 3 hours. We did alot more long trotting and loping today. I was on Harley. One time while we were trotting I brought Harley down to a walk and let Celia trot on out of sight. Harley did so good. He wanted to speed up, but I kept pulling and releasing and he stayed at a walk. After she was out of sight, I asked for a trot, and he did bolt, and stayed nice and collect. THEN WE even loped a bit. He is just going to be awesome I think:)
BECKY
That should be he did NOT bolt:)
Becky
Hi - So glad your ride went well on Harley! I've been mowing, posting, watching my funny horses, (Bay is now just getting furious and even turning his butt to the mares).
I'm about to do dishes. Boring huh!
Thought so..lol
Sounds like he will do wonderful for you. You must be very excited about this up and coming ride, and are working very hard. When did you day it was, sometime next month?
See we all mess up!
Too many cooks (especially around horses) is a real pain. Our biggest problem seems to be trying to find the chance to work with them when there aren't people around. Our house is sort of like open house a lot of the time, and everyone wants to be helpful. That just stresses us and the horses out :)
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