Is This A Good or Bad Sign...Surely Good?!??

horses-n-greyhoundz · 10-20-2006, 06:33 PM

I have had my 1.5 year old colt now for 5 days. For these first five days I have given him the super grooming treatment everyday, been rubbing my hands all over his face and ears, have messed with his legs, taken him on two - half mile walks on lead down the road and back, have wormed him, and have had a picture session.

In other words, we are definitely getting to know each other.

Today, I took him into the round pen. My only intentions were to allow him some time to snoop around then go in just to be with him. Anyhow, to my surprise, he followed me everywhere as if we had had a joining up session. I'm talking evey step, even pivoting around on his hind feet as I walked a circle around him. Eyes on me the whole time.

My initial instincts were to think this was great, but the more I've though about it, I'm wondering if this in any way may indicate something negative...??? I spent a year with a mare that never joined with me the way he did, and I've only had him 5 days.

princesskristin · 10-20-2006, 06:58 PM

I think it is a good sign. Him following you around means that he trusts you and knows that you will not let anything happen to him. Sometimes baby horses will follow one single person around.

Hola · 10-20-2006, 09:50 PM

sometimes we just have to stop thinking so much..

I reckon you've got yourself something good going on. So start thinking that way and you'll surely be pleased...

EquineAlberta · 10-20-2006, 10:58 PM

Sounds to me like he is a curious/smart baby who has learnt that you are something of interest!

With horses like that i would be careful not to over do it. Sometimes it is too easy to push the smart ones past what they are really ready for. THat is the only downside/warning I can think of!

Karen2

Mule Fool · 10-20-2006, 11:02 PM

I think too much, too. It sounds like your doing a good job of bonding. I'll just throw something out for you to think on. I think some of the value of the round pen work is in the process between sending away and drawing back in. It sounds like you are just still in a bonding stage and haven't started really doing any "work" in the round pen so maybe this comment is premature. I guess what I'm getting at is that even though it seems as though you've achieved "join up" I'm not sure that's exactly what it is if you haven't gone through the process to achieve it. So I think you'll still have to go through the process to get the benefit. I could be off base on this, like I said I think too much too

but at any rate I think what you've done so far sounds great.

horses-n-greyhoundz · 10-21-2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule Fool

I guess what I'm getting at is that even though it seems as though you've achieved "join up" I'm not sure that's exactly what it is if you haven't gone through the process to achieve it. So I think you'll still have to go through the process to get the benefit.

I believe you are right. I think that is why I was taken so aback by this because I really have not made an attempt to establish dominance over him other than trying to stay extremely confident and assertive while handling him so far. I do know that he had not been handled a too tremendous amount before I brought him home, so in my mind I am thinking that I have a wonderful opportunity here to be his "first" true human bond.

I think I'll give him a go tomorrow...

wundahoss · 10-23-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horses-n-greyhoundz

I believe you are right. I think that is why I was taken so aback by this because I really have not made an attempt to establish dominance over him other than trying to stay extremely confident and assertive while handling him so far...

You don't need to dominate an animal in order to bond with it. You don't need to dominate it to become the respected leader. It is natural for a horse to want to follow somebody they perceive as partner or leader, horse, human or otherwise. 'Confident' & 'assertive' are what you need to be, along with consistent, persistent, but most of all understanding & considerate.

Keep up the good play!

**gbarmranch** · 10-23-2006, 05:33 AM

I love it when they follow on their own - it means you are accepted...Never question, just enjoy - you are evidently doing all the right things in horse language, and intuition is often the best teacher! congratulations

horses-n-greyhoundz · 10-23-2006, 08:39 AM

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I actually moved him in the round pen yesterday and he was a breeze. He changed directions well and even started to understand whoa. I am so thrilled with him.

And oh....the floaty little fancy trot he has is to die for! Can you tell I am excited about him?

10-20-2006, 06:33 PM
horses-n-greyhoundz Long Yearling Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Central Arkansas Posts: 1,121	Is This A Good or Bad Sign...Surely Good?!?? I have had my 1.5 year old colt now for 5 days. For these first five days I have given him the super grooming treatment everyday, been rubbing my hands all over his face and ears, have messed with his legs, taken him on two - half mile walks on lead down the road and back, have wormed him, and have had a picture session. In other words, we are definitely getting to know each other. Today, I took him into the round pen. My only intentions were to allow him some time to snoop around then go in just to be with him. Anyhow, to my surprise, he followed me everywhere as if we had had a joining up session. I'm talking evey step, even pivoting around on his hind feet as I walked a circle around him. Eyes on me the whole time. My initial instincts were to think this was great, but the more I've though about it, I'm wondering if this in any way may indicate something negative...??? I spent a year with a mare that never joined with me the way he did, and I've only had him 5 days. __________________ If you can't be a good example -- then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. My house is where I live, but I'm at home in the saddle.

10-20-2006, 06:58 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	I think it is a good sign. Him following you around means that he trusts you and knows that you will not let anything happen to him. Sometimes baby horses will follow one single person around. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

10-20-2006, 09:50 PM
Hola Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dillsburg , Pa Posts: 631	sometimes we just have to stop thinking so much.. I reckon you've got yourself something good going on. So start thinking that way and you'll surely be pleased...

10-20-2006, 10:58 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,691	Sounds to me like he is a curious/smart baby who has learnt that you are something of interest! With horses like that i would be careful not to over do it. Sometimes it is too easy to push the smart ones past what they are really ready for. THat is the only downside/warning I can think of! Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!

10-20-2006, 11:02 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	I think too much, too. It sounds like your doing a good job of bonding. I'll just throw something out for you to think on. I think some of the value of the round pen work is in the process between sending away and drawing back in. It sounds like you are just still in a bonding stage and haven't started really doing any "work" in the round pen so maybe this comment is premature. I guess what I'm getting at is that even though it seems as though you've achieved "join up" I'm not sure that's exactly what it is if you haven't gone through the process to achieve it. So I think you'll still have to go through the process to get the benefit. I could be off base on this, like I said I think too much too but at any rate I think what you've done so far sounds great.

10-23-2006, 05:33 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,575	I love it when they follow on their own - it means you are accepted...Never question, just enjoy - you are evidently doing all the right things in horse language, and intuition is often the best teacher! congratulations __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

10-23-2006, 08:39 AM
horses-n-greyhoundz Long Yearling Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Central Arkansas Posts: 1,121	Thanks for the vote of confidence. I actually moved him in the round pen yesterday and he was a breeze. He changed directions well and even started to understand whoa. I am so thrilled with him. And oh....the floaty little fancy trot he has is to die for! Can you tell I am excited about him? __________________ If you can't be a good example -- then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. My house is where I live, but I'm at home in the saddle.