FurstPlaceMiniatures
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Ok. Background - my little guy isn't exactly a rescue, however, he was NOT in an ideal situation. For the first 6 years of his life, he did not leave a one acre "farm," was 100 lbs + overweight, and hadn't had his feet trimmed in at LEAST 2 years. He hated his life hardcore, the family (5+ kids who all mauled him it seems) sold him claimed he wasn't a pocket pet, and you couldn't catch him in a field. I don't think a lot of his needs mentally were met.
Brought him home, he was snotty. Had a few battles of the wills, he realized I don't scare as easy as the 8 yr old who did most of the handling on him, 99% of his habits (biting, bolting, no respect for space, rearing, striking out with front foot) ended after about 2 weeks, when he realized he couldn't make me mad or flustered, nor would i back down or let him have his way. I have done 100% of the work with him, for better or worse, at least i know how every step of his training was done.
Fast forward a year - "Cloudy" is an AWESOME horse who's super bonded to me. He will leave his mares (he's a stud) and meet me at the gate without being called. If he hears me in the barn (he's boarded) he paces and whinnies for me.
Most of his training has been on "de-spooking." Nothing really truly wigs him out. However, this might sound awkward, while he's not afraid, he lacks confidence when put in a new situation, or to figure out something. He's a dominant horse is the field by a lot, but, he sucks at figuring things out (however, it mkaes fencing pretty darn easy!)
At shows (hes been to 3) he gets close. Not spooky, just wayyy closer than he is at home, and not in a disrespectful way. He will only do it to me or my boyfriend, whom he's known equally as long and likes. Other competent horsemen, he's spooky for, however, he won't get neraly as close too.
Another example, working him over fences. On a lunge line, when encountering a new or higher jump, he'll slam on the brakes in front of it (better than ducking out in my book!) turn and look. I go catch him, and if I trot him over it next to him (like in a show) he'll bop right over it. 2 or 3 times later, I put him back out on the lunge, he'll do it. However, no matter how much i push, he will NOT do an obstacle until i literally walk him through it, and every time I introduce something with him, he does it willingly.
This is the main reason we think he is NOT doing well as a driving horse. He's HOT when on the cart or being ground driven, spooky, and downright unsafe. If HE has to do it before "Mom," he does not think he can. He understands the cues,
How in the heck do i fix this? I shouldn't be complaining my horse trusts me, however, what are some good ways for him to realize "it'll be ok if mom's not there?" He needs to be more confident of himself. Does he just need more "miles?"
Brought him home, he was snotty. Had a few battles of the wills, he realized I don't scare as easy as the 8 yr old who did most of the handling on him, 99% of his habits (biting, bolting, no respect for space, rearing, striking out with front foot) ended after about 2 weeks, when he realized he couldn't make me mad or flustered, nor would i back down or let him have his way. I have done 100% of the work with him, for better or worse, at least i know how every step of his training was done.
Fast forward a year - "Cloudy" is an AWESOME horse who's super bonded to me. He will leave his mares (he's a stud) and meet me at the gate without being called. If he hears me in the barn (he's boarded) he paces and whinnies for me.
Most of his training has been on "de-spooking." Nothing really truly wigs him out. However, this might sound awkward, while he's not afraid, he lacks confidence when put in a new situation, or to figure out something. He's a dominant horse is the field by a lot, but, he sucks at figuring things out (however, it mkaes fencing pretty darn easy!)
At shows (hes been to 3) he gets close. Not spooky, just wayyy closer than he is at home, and not in a disrespectful way. He will only do it to me or my boyfriend, whom he's known equally as long and likes. Other competent horsemen, he's spooky for, however, he won't get neraly as close too.
Another example, working him over fences. On a lunge line, when encountering a new or higher jump, he'll slam on the brakes in front of it (better than ducking out in my book!) turn and look. I go catch him, and if I trot him over it next to him (like in a show) he'll bop right over it. 2 or 3 times later, I put him back out on the lunge, he'll do it. However, no matter how much i push, he will NOT do an obstacle until i literally walk him through it, and every time I introduce something with him, he does it willingly.
This is the main reason we think he is NOT doing well as a driving horse. He's HOT when on the cart or being ground driven, spooky, and downright unsafe. If HE has to do it before "Mom," he does not think he can. He understands the cues,
How in the heck do i fix this? I shouldn't be complaining my horse trusts me, however, what are some good ways for him to realize "it'll be ok if mom's not there?" He needs to be more confident of himself. Does he just need more "miles?"
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