saverette15
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2016
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- 3
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I just found this forum and have been posting on another for regular sized horses. As a quick backstory, we became the owners of two mini ponies. The mom was given to my not quite 2 year old daughter by my sister in law as a Christmas present 2 years ago. We were not asked beforehand and were told that they'd be staying at her house. Oh and surprise mom is pregnant so my 2 year old really got 2 ponies for Christmas. Mom had been a children's pony ride and is VERY well mannered and calm. Well, the sis in law bought a new house and the farm where the mini's are kept was too far. My father wouldn't let his grand-daughter's ponies be sold so he allowed me to bring them to our farm which is a cattle farm. Dad has been great at figuring out how to keep them separate and helping me but neither of us has any horse experience, only cattle. I am so glad I found a forum focused solely on minis!
I had posted on the other forum about how the mini's were getting super pushy at feeding time. I was told how that should not be allowed to continue so I did some research and figured first step was making them back up and wait for me to give them feed. That is what I planned to start working on this past Saturday. After my incident, I will definitely be looking for a local trainer to help me as I don't want to wind up with a scared horse or one with bad manners because I didn't have the right experience. On to Saturday morning. I took my now 3 year old daughter with me to the barns thinking we'd spend some time grooming and playing with the horses.
First, I planned to put a little grain out to keep the baby, Jessie (not quite one yet) busy while we worked with mom (Daisy). My first mistake was taking my daughter rin with me while trying to work on manners. I realized this immediately but I had no idea Jessie would act like this - again my inexperience is showing. We went in the gate and started walking to the feed bowl when Jessie started trying to shove her head in the bucket as always. At that point I pushed her and said back. She kinda skittered back (only word to properly describe movement) then swung around and kicked out at me. She wasn't close but close enough I realized I needed to get my daughter out of the field in order to handle it. Based on my research I realized that Jessie probably saw this as me retreating and thereby she was "winning". She kept trying to get between me and the gate, then she'd swing around and kick out. Got daughter out of the gate and got a stick ( a whip is our next purchase). I came back to the gate and Jessie met me. I began backing her up. She'd go back and little then swing around and kick out. I never struck her with the stick, simply used it as something else in my hand when I raised them. Each time I walked toward the food bowl, Jessie would walk toward me. I'd tell her to back up and that's when she'd swing around and kick. After working with her a little while, I decided I didn't have the skills necessary and I needed to stop. When Jessie realized I was leaving without leaving the food she was TICKED. She did what I equated to a temper tantrum - ran off across the field jumping and kicking then stopped on the other side of the field to stomp and scream. I then left the fence.
I realize I should not have tried to do this alone with just me and my daughter. My dad pulled up shortly after I was out of the fence. He saw Jessie throwing her fit and I told him what happened. We walked back to the gate (not planning to go in, just standing and talking) and Jessie ran back to the gate, spun and kicked at us through it. I had NEVER seen her act like that before. I would have NEVER taken my daughter with me if I had. So, I'm planning to look for a trainer. This is a good idea, right? I am in south AL. Estimates for what this training might cost?
I appreciate any advice on what happened. I'm not giving up and plan to continue to work at feeding time. If Jessie doesn't cooperate, she won't get fed the "extra" until I can get her under control. I can pull mom out and feed her separately. But, I do plan to find someone to assist me and make sure I'm not doing something I shouldn't.
As an aside, they saw the farrier last weekend. Daisy did fine as always but Jessie only got her front hooves done. She wouldn't cooperate for her back ones. I know this is because she is young (as was the farrier). We've always brushed and rubbed Jessie with no problems. The only times I've seen her kick out, after thinking about it, were when we'd come with carrots or a treat and not immediately give it to her when we walked in. Again, I know this is where she needs to learn manners. But I lack the experience.
I had posted on the other forum about how the mini's were getting super pushy at feeding time. I was told how that should not be allowed to continue so I did some research and figured first step was making them back up and wait for me to give them feed. That is what I planned to start working on this past Saturday. After my incident, I will definitely be looking for a local trainer to help me as I don't want to wind up with a scared horse or one with bad manners because I didn't have the right experience. On to Saturday morning. I took my now 3 year old daughter with me to the barns thinking we'd spend some time grooming and playing with the horses.
First, I planned to put a little grain out to keep the baby, Jessie (not quite one yet) busy while we worked with mom (Daisy). My first mistake was taking my daughter rin with me while trying to work on manners. I realized this immediately but I had no idea Jessie would act like this - again my inexperience is showing. We went in the gate and started walking to the feed bowl when Jessie started trying to shove her head in the bucket as always. At that point I pushed her and said back. She kinda skittered back (only word to properly describe movement) then swung around and kicked out at me. She wasn't close but close enough I realized I needed to get my daughter out of the field in order to handle it. Based on my research I realized that Jessie probably saw this as me retreating and thereby she was "winning". She kept trying to get between me and the gate, then she'd swing around and kick out. Got daughter out of the gate and got a stick ( a whip is our next purchase). I came back to the gate and Jessie met me. I began backing her up. She'd go back and little then swing around and kick out. I never struck her with the stick, simply used it as something else in my hand when I raised them. Each time I walked toward the food bowl, Jessie would walk toward me. I'd tell her to back up and that's when she'd swing around and kick. After working with her a little while, I decided I didn't have the skills necessary and I needed to stop. When Jessie realized I was leaving without leaving the food she was TICKED. She did what I equated to a temper tantrum - ran off across the field jumping and kicking then stopped on the other side of the field to stomp and scream. I then left the fence.
I realize I should not have tried to do this alone with just me and my daughter. My dad pulled up shortly after I was out of the fence. He saw Jessie throwing her fit and I told him what happened. We walked back to the gate (not planning to go in, just standing and talking) and Jessie ran back to the gate, spun and kicked at us through it. I had NEVER seen her act like that before. I would have NEVER taken my daughter with me if I had. So, I'm planning to look for a trainer. This is a good idea, right? I am in south AL. Estimates for what this training might cost?
I appreciate any advice on what happened. I'm not giving up and plan to continue to work at feeding time. If Jessie doesn't cooperate, she won't get fed the "extra" until I can get her under control. I can pull mom out and feed her separately. But, I do plan to find someone to assist me and make sure I'm not doing something I shouldn't.
As an aside, they saw the farrier last weekend. Daisy did fine as always but Jessie only got her front hooves done. She wouldn't cooperate for her back ones. I know this is because she is young (as was the farrier). We've always brushed and rubbed Jessie with no problems. The only times I've seen her kick out, after thinking about it, were when we'd come with carrots or a treat and not immediately give it to her when we walked in. Again, I know this is where she needs to learn manners. But I lack the experience.