Our new little gelding seems to be pretty much settled in to his new home and being new to minis and youngsters (we've only had full size, mature horses) what should we be working on?
I'm guessing ground manners and such. How to we teach him not to crowd when leading - with at full size horse we just kind of give a bit of a bump with our elbow if they start to crowd, but what do you do for a mini? Another thing I'd like to correct is him diving down for grass when leading. Our biggies were trained not to do that unless we were stopped and had loosened the lead (but they came trained like that, we didn't have to do it - just reinforce it).
What are some age/size appropriate things to teach this sweet little guy? He has such a sweet disposition and I want to keep that.
I'm looking into finding someone to give my daughter lessons (she's 9 and tiny - in my avatar) and is kind of tentative in handling him (lets him do the leading, etc.) and I don't want her to "train" him to have bad manners or allow him to be her leader.
I have a book on order, but in the mean time all advice is welcome.
Julie & Crosswinds Irish Hawks Image or just "Image"
I'm guessing ground manners and such. How to we teach him not to crowd when leading - with at full size horse we just kind of give a bit of a bump with our elbow if they start to crowd, but what do you do for a mini? Another thing I'd like to correct is him diving down for grass when leading. Our biggies were trained not to do that unless we were stopped and had loosened the lead (but they came trained like that, we didn't have to do it - just reinforce it).
What are some age/size appropriate things to teach this sweet little guy? He has such a sweet disposition and I want to keep that.
I'm looking into finding someone to give my daughter lessons (she's 9 and tiny - in my avatar) and is kind of tentative in handling him (lets him do the leading, etc.) and I don't want her to "train" him to have bad manners or allow him to be her leader.
I have a book on order, but in the mean time all advice is welcome.
Julie & Crosswinds Irish Hawks Image or just "Image"