http://forum.horsetopia.com Post questions about training your horse here. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:57:15 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forum.horsetopia.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forum.horsetopia.com http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118733-training-fork.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:28:27 GMT I have 5 year old Paint that I bought 2 years ago. She is very easy going and is willing to do anything. She will cross anything I put in front of... I have 5 year old Paint that I bought 2 years ago. She is very easy going and is willing to do anything. She will cross anything I put in front of her. On her first trail ride she acted better then a 15 year old quarter that has been there done that, and she was the leader, but her head is quite high. I don't want it to be dragging on the ground, but I would like it level. People said to use a training fork. So I went out and bought one. What is your Opinon on Training Forks?:confused:
Thanks! ]]> Training appyluver09 http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118733-training-fork.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118714-mocha-gets-trainer-other-pics-weekend.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:55:17 GMT Mocha is 8 years old and cute as a bug, but she is lacking in any discipline and manners. I have been training her since I got her but she was 7 and... Mocha is 8 years old and cute as a bug, but she is lacking in any discipline and manners. I have been training her since I got her but she was 7 and unruly and i just dont have time to ride her like she needs.

I met a girl (hay customer)who is a great trainer, unfortunately i cant afford her rates. Fortunately she took a liking to me and to Mocha and asked me if she could come out and work with her for me (for free). This girl is very knowlegeable and Mocha is coming along great. I am paying her in hay, tack and grooming supplies.
Anyway I took a bunch of pics of the animals this past weekend and thought I would share.

On saturday we had 2 neighbor girls come over to ride. The one who rode Peppy is a rank beginner and her sister has had lessons (she rode Mocha) so all the riding pics are of them and the bath pics are the trainer
.
The first time i ever tried to bathe Mocha 2 years ago she charged me when i touched her with the water and about knocked me down, i thought it was a fluke until she did it 2 more times, so i asked Ricky to bathe her and didnt tell him what she did and she did the same thing to him. So he put her in the cattle chute and poured 5 gallons of water over her and she let us bathe her after that, but we dont bathe her often because she still gets upset.

When the trainer asked to bathe her after a workout i told her it wasnt a good idea because she freaks out..well here iare some pix of her and the trainer giving her a bath....


doesnt she look upset??










this is the neighbor girl on Peppy





the older sister on Mocha






drinking out of the rain barrel





Peppy took my diet dr pepper right out of my hand!




more riding pics




BUDDIES








and I had to share a cute pic i took of Papas little son lying down with his front legs out front of him


]]> Training gailfinney http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118714-mocha-gets-trainer-other-pics-weekend.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118699-ground-tying.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:37:04 GMT How do I go about teaching Lena to ground tie? When I am working around her or brushing her, she usually does ok and stands still. But as soon as I... How do I go about teaching Lena to ground tie?

When I am working around her or brushing her, she usually does ok and stands still. But as soon as I start to leave so does Lena.

I'm sure that this is an easy one, but if you fellow Horsetopians can give your training tips and experiences, I would appreciate it!:) ]]> Training Cait http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118699-ground-tying.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118465-spooky-horse.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:40:31 GMT So I have enherited my first real spooky horse. He has been with me about 1 yr. Extremely head shy, terrified of men and ropes. I have been working... So I have enherited my first real spooky horse. He has been with me about 1 yr. Extremely head shy, terrified of men and ropes. I have been working with him off and on with brideling and touching his face. Its going fairly well. Now that I have come to a stopping point in my other projects, it is time to put a little more "pressure" on Jazz. I need to get to know this horse and work with him and eventually get on him. Otherwise I will never be able to find a job or forever family for this guy.

A little background: He is believed to be around 10yr old. He is paint/arab cross. Big build stocky and tall. He looks like a paint and acts like an arab :laughing6: I was dupted into getting him by a life long friend :rolleyes: now im stuck with him. He has been ridden, no buck, no rear just spooky. My "friend" used him to pony race horses through the foothills for excersize. So there is a good horse in there SOMEWHERE. I am honestly intimidated by him. Because of his size and "aloof" nature. Any suggestions to get me started. I really would like to get him a safe home with experienced hands, but I need to know him first. With the market, I may have him for a few more years:mad:.

Just so you can put a face to the name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vLcA9e4xvQ

You have to fast forward through some of the BS sorry I never edited it. ]]> Training HeatherSarah3 http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118465-spooky-horse.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118449-lunging-question.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:08:45 GMT Lena has been working on her lunging and we are getting there. Right now we are only practicing walk and trot. In the round pen, she stays right on... Lena has been working on her lunging and we are getting there. Right now we are only practicing walk and trot. In the round pen, she stays right on the rail and is very good about it.

However, last night it was dark when I got to the barn and so I had to lunge her in the arena. She was coming in towards me, back out, cutting "corners", and when she would be going by the entrance to the arena, she would try and go that way resulting in her head coming around to her side. How do I prevent these things from happening? How can I teach her that she has to stay out and respect the halter/lunge rope?

Also not really a training question but while she is lunging her bottom lip just flops around lol. Is this just a sign that she is relaxed? ]]> Training Cait http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118449-lunging-question.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118441-bolting.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:32:47 GMT Hi, I have a 3year old filly who likes to bolt when ever either she's scared or doesn't want to work. She started this when she was a two year when I was leading her. She'd suddenly just bolt back to the herd. Not always, just occationally, but I could never hold her. Easy to catch and go to where ever I was oringinally going to.
Now on the lunge if she figures that she has worked long enough she bolts. She saddles, bridles just fine. So today she bolted when I was lunging her with the bit. Ran back home after a tour around the quarter section across the road. Lunged her somemore and then put on the driving lines. (I use a snaffle colt bit, my ride and tie bridle and trail saddle) Driving her down the road at a nice slow walk and she did it again, suddenly bolted, ran a good mile down the road, had the son go get the car. (I was really tired by this time), and drove her back home. As we are walking down the driveway almost home she bolts for home. Go catch her, back down the driveway three times before she finially gave it up.
Anybody have any suggestions?? I really don't want to ride her before this is resolved. I've been training horses for 10 years and have never had a horse this stubborn. ]]> Training Chrystalstar http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118441-bolting.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118385-good-news-its-not-just-love-goggles-she-really-has-improved.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:44:37 GMT I had a friend out to ride with me today. I rode Celista, she rode Southie. She has ridden Southie once before & it was before I started working with her on collection. She noticed a huge difference in her! I was so happy to hear it from someone else. I thought maybe I was just imagining things, you know, a mommas pride & all :o. Anyway, just had to share the good news that my girl really is improving! Knew my HT family would understand the excitement;)! ]]> Training greygirls http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118385-good-news-its-not-just-love-goggles-she-really-has-improved.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118368-what-charge.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:48:45 GMT Ok, first of all,.....I am NOT a trainer, but I have had some success with getting things done while playing with babies. I've just tried things I've seen others do. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've managed to keep myself from getting hurt.

Second, I'm unemployed, so any $ I can earn, helps.

The story is that a friend of mine was talking to her barn owner who mentioned that she needs someone to play with her new arab weanling filly to get her more used to being handled, caught and haltered. She mentioned my name and that I'm an unemployed therapist, not a trainer, but I've had some success with other babies.

I then talked to the BO and met her filly. She's cute, interested and friendly, but definitely will be tough to catch. I only played with her through her pen fence. I think I can do a few things with her, but I can't make any guarentees. I told the BO my story and asked what she's thinking in terms of hours/payment. She didn't have any ideas, just wants someone to play with her baby.

I talked to my friend who gave my name. She suggested doing a trial month, where I get paid and do what I can with the baby, but don't make any promises. Also don't make promises as to how much time I'll put in each day, or even how many days, because some days I'll be there for 10 minutes, other days I'll be doing my thing for 3-4 hours (:eek:). I also want to at least cover the cost of the diesel getting there and back (13 miles round trip, diesel is almost $3/gal.)

So....what to charge? ]]> Training SheZAAM! http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118368-what-charge.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118280-good-day-today.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:28:37 GMT I haven't had a chance to work Chopper much lately..and its always a great day when I take him out..having had a lengthy "break"...to have him do everything I ask of him and be such a gentleman about everything. So I am having a very proud moment of him...he's come a long way this summer. This is only the second time I have completely cinched him up...to which he didn't give a care. Chopper will be going to training around February or March...for 90 days at least and then we will see what he has taken a liking to...and continue his training from there. The trainer we are looking at is experienced in different disciplines...and comes highly recommended so we are very anxious to see what this guy can do with Chopper. Sorry the pictures aren't that great, but it was starting to get dark so had to set the camera on a different setting and it made them a little blurry...he's such a poser...:laughing6:





]]> Training roguemare http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118280-good-day-today.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118269-getting-horse-bit.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:06:15 GMT Okay, so here's the deal. I have a 6 year old mare, she was broke out at 4. I bought her at 5. She had me pretty intimidated with some green-horse temper-tantrum stuff (I'm green too, I know, I know) so the past year was basically just groundwork, and getting me confident enough to trail ride. I recently had a lady come put 30 days on her- she is now going very well in the arena at a walk-jog, moving off the leg, we are working on suppling, turning on the haunches, etc. When I have some more money, I'm going to have her out for another 30 days to get her loping.

One thing the trainer mentioned is that she didn't seem too happy in the bit I was using, that she will respond, but she is stiff and not really "on" the bit. She doesn't really get a foamy mouth, she will gape her jaws a bit. Teeth got floated a year ago, and she's due to get checked again, but I haven't noticed any eating issues.

For now, I have put her in a sweet-iron loose ring snaffle, and a bridle with a cavesson, per the trainers recommendation. Her other hint was to give a peppermint as I am putting the bridle on. She knows how to flex both ways with rein pressure, and we are starting verticle flexion now- she will drop her nose at a stop, but needs practice keeping it there.

Does anyone else have any hints or ideas on how to get her on the bit better? My old guy gets on the bit great, gets all slobbery and listens, but he's also been ridden English, and this mare is being trained Western, on a loose rein.

Thanks. :) ]]> Training Amy http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118269-getting-horse-bit.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118268-little-everything.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:43:03 GMT Alright, Lena and I are working on all sorts of fun stuff, (well not for her :laughing6:) and was hoping you guys could help me a bit. Teaching... Alright, Lena and I are working on all sorts of fun stuff, (well not for her :laughing6:) and was hoping you guys could help me a bit.

Teaching Lena patience is a big one. Some days she just does NOT want to stand. What I started doing was putting a chain on her and lead her to her stall small steps at a time. I will stop and make her stand quiet, move a bit, make her stand quiet, move a bit, etc. If she starts to jig, we turn around and go back. Is there anything else I can do? I'm scared she is going to recognize when the chain is and isn't there.

Vet was out today and took a look at Lena's sarcoid. He wants me to go get some zincoxide (sp?) and apply it to the sarcoid 2X a day. Sure, sounds easy...While she will let me touch her ears, her sarcoid is off limits. How can I train her so that I can apply the medicine safely without her getting scared or mad?

Catching her can be a pain...huge pain. She actually has to wear a halter at all times at this barn because the barn owner doesn't want to mess with not catching her. Even in the stall, when Lena sees the halter she puts her head in the corner. I did treats with Stella, but now Stella demands a treat everytime. Any ideas?

Working with Lena's feet is not that bad, but when I am by myself, I don't know how to do it. I can't hold her and mess with her feet and tying her just makes her panic. Is there some other way to do this? I mean, the front feet aren't a problem, but when I put the rope around her back feet and try to pick it up, she tries to walk off.

How do I get her used to cross ties without panicking? Everytime I put her on them, I don't even have her clipped on both sides and she is already acting scared. Is there something I can do here?

For those who have had a wild horse, unworked horse, hard to earn trust, etc, is there anything special you did with them to help earn their trust? Lena is just beginning to trust me and I don't want to push her along, but maybe if there was something else...After I work her I always put her in her stall and let her munch on hay while I brush her so she gets used to me walking around her and everything.

Finally, anyone do join up? I always attempt it with Lena but it doesn't go right. I get in the pen, let her free, get her going, and stand in the middle. I make eye contact the whole time, and when she doesn't turn when I ask or cuts corners I get after her. I keep her going at a trot. But I cannot seem to get the 3 signs. I can get her ear on me, and she'll drop her head every now and then and but she never licks her lips. And then when I ask her to stop she won't come to me but instead chooses to try and eat the grass outside of the round pen. She keeps her attention on me, but will not come to me. Any suggestions?

Sigh, I wanted my project horse, and I sure did get one :D ]]> Training Cait http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118268-little-everything.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118190-overreactive-leg-bouncy-canter.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:21:39 GMT I have a 5yr old mare that I broke by myself. She had NO training before I worked with her. She has done very well under saddle so far... It's just that she is super sensitive and it is almost like she is over enthusiastic about everything.

If you barely touch her with your leg she will trot, if you pick up the reins and "think" about cantering she will canter. If you tighten the reins a little and shift your weight for a side pass she will side pass. She has a perfect whoa- you just lean back and "think" about stopping. Only trouble is her speed is very inconsistent. Whenever you put leg on her, she tends to overreact and speed up. Then I end up getting a little in her mouth, and using my seat to get her to slow down again. She also tends to toss her head when leg is applied.

My question is: How can I get her to accept leg contact? Are there any exercises I can try that will help with this?

The other issue we are working on is balancing at the canter. She tends to drop her shoulder around the corner and is very bouncy and uncoordinated feeling. I know this is typical green horse stuff, but I'm just wondering what exercises will help her overcome this... ]]> Training horsecrazygal http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118190-overreactive-leg-bouncy-canter.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118188-i-found-lenas-major-flaw-update-rest-story.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:36:22 GMT I go out to work Lena tonight and she was very good. She let me catch her, did well leading, didn't put up to much of a fuss when working on respect, and even seemed to actually know how to lunge (I know that most horses should do this, but she had nothing done with her for 3 years soo...we are starting from scratch :)). She was great. She got a little panicky on the cross ties (barn owner said she was getting mad, but I thought panicked) but other than that, perfect.

Apparently she was sucking up from what happened the night before...

The barn farrier was coming out, and Lena desperately needed hers done, but since I was going to be in class, the barn owner said that she would hold her for me. I warned the barn owner that she isn't the best at standing and likes to dance and can be picky about picking up her feet.

Lena apparently did more than that. She kept rearing up and got to the point where she was charging people. Full out, ears back, tail switching, teeth bared charging. I was SHOCKED to hear this. She never ever once tried to charge me. Even when we are working on respect. They were not able to do her feet to say the least.

So what can I do to work on her with this? I've been touching her legs all over and knew that she wasn't perfect about it but I was planning on working with her. But to the point where a full grown horse is charging and rearing? Is there a safe way to work on this?

Also, the barn owner thought a lot of it was to do with respect. I have been using clinton anderson/parelli methods (moving horses feet), and like I said she has been doing good. There is improvement everytime we do it. Is there anything else that I can do that has worked well for you guys?

Thanks! ]]> Training Cait http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118188-i-found-lenas-major-flaw-update-rest-story.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118184-dominate-mare-sorry-long-post.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:36:17 GMT I just recently adopted two QH's a 7 yr old gelding 'Tom' and a 14 yr old mare 'Elly' that were basically left out in pasture for the past three years. They have been together forever according to their last owner. The owner kept them in a pasture along with a much older gelding. Now that I have had them at my place they are in their own pasture . I am giving a few of my other horses a break for the winter so I have found myself able to spend a bit more time with these two newbies at the barn and the mare is just kicking the *%$% out of this poor gelding whom is MUCH larger than her and she seems to be doing this consistanly so I don't think it is a matter of her being in heat or anything it seems to be something she does all the time but it gets ten fold worse when it is feeding time even though they are both fed the same (they are both on diets right now as their previous owner really let them go). She won't let the poor guy near the shelter they have which is big enough for four horses. which is really starting to worry me as winter is kicking into full swing up here in alberta and I don't want him to be stuck out in the cold while there is a perfectly good run in shed for him. I really would like to keep the two of them together as I am very happy with the herd systems my other horses have going on, and don't have a pasture with a shelter in it to keep them seperated. Very sorry about the long winded-ness but I was wondering if anyone has delt with this and would have any ideas as to how to get these to apparently life long buddies to get along. I figure that the seperation from the older gelding (previous owners horse) might have something to do with it all but I think this gelding has always been a bottom of the totem pole kind of guy. I just want this mare to give him a break.
any thoughts would be very helpful ]]> Training Livin the horsey dream http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118184-dominate-mare-sorry-long-post.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118153-huckleberry-update-new-video.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:53:20 GMT Huck has been doing great with his retraining, the ground work has worked wonders for him, he is quite the mellow fellow. His level of respect for... Huck has been doing great with his retraining, the ground work has worked wonders for him, he is quite the mellow fellow. His level of respect for Nicole has gone up 100%, she has only used positive reinforcement with him he loves knowing he has done it right!

The first video is of his first ride at home, she had a few harrowing rides in between he reared, bucked and bolted.

http://www.clipshack.com/Clip.aspx?key=31094F686DFC7811

This video is from Friday so much more relaxed, she also rode him today, and did 2 trot poles, 2 canter poles and a small jump he never once thought about doing anything bad! He also got his correct lead each time today.

http://www.clipshack.com/Clip.aspx?key=CA4FD6998AAF9950 ]]> Training barnmom http://forum.horsetopia.com/training/118153-huckleberry-update-new-video.html