hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647 
|
Post by hugs on Oct 1, 2014 3:37:42 GMT
Tonight my horsemanship lesson was a 4 year old TB gelding right off the track. Today was his first time in the indoor arena and his very first lesson. He was pretending to be a giraffe and couldn't keep his feet still but by the end of the lesson he was so calm, standing still although he does have this thing with his lips. Last week was a 2 yr old TB stallion, he was a live wire let me tell you but still a sweetheart and the week before an immense Fresian-TB. All TBs with the smallest one 16h+.
So here's the irony, I want to talk in detail about how repetition of simplicity is the most effective technique with horses.
The simple act of backing the horse up when he gets too fast/far ahead of me when leading or moves his feet when he ought to be standing still, is actually calming. Another calming thing was to walk him in a small clockwise circle away from me when his pasture buddy walked past helped him calm down and pay attention to what I wanted him to do. Then a little shaking of the lead (bull snap on a nylon halter) for indirect pressure to back him up. And a few other techniques I got "tested" on with this new guy.
Since I got this fellow to do everything she asked me to get him to do it seems easy. I don't feel like I was doing anything special but she seemed to think so but it seemed like it was that the horse was easy.
So did I actually accomplish something?!
|
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on Oct 1, 2014 3:48:04 GMT
What it must be like, to be to be working with so many magnificent horses. To be learning the language of actual horse, instead of how to get along with just a couple of them. I am totally jealous. I want to learn how to speak horse,,, but alas, I have only learned how to partially speak Diamond. Hopefully, one day I will learn how to speak Chief as well. As far as Stormy goes??? Well,,,, I will ask you how to talk to him.
|
|
nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
|
Post by nhg on Oct 1, 2014 4:04:50 GMT
What a great experience! And working with those big guys would be so empowering! Yes, moving their feet really sends them a message and changes their frame of mind. Another technique if a horse is walking all over you is to lead them around and suddenly change direction over and over. They quickly learn to start watching where you're going and to focus on you.
I'm so happy you have this great opportunity! You'll learn so much working with different horses. |
|
mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
|
Post by mistersmom on Oct 1, 2014 12:44:49 GMT
smileys-smiley-with-sign-427398I'm so proud of you and happy for you. I knew all along that you have a special touch when it comes to horses. Just look at all you accomplished with Peaches. (Is she still moving by you?). Keep learning and teaching us as well.!  |
|
mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
|
Post by mingiz on Oct 1, 2014 13:50:00 GMT
You go girl!!! OTTB's can be a handful. Sounds like your doing well. Keep up the good work!!! |
|
hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
|
Post by hugs on Oct 2, 2014 0:08:17 GMT
Gosh, thank you, I didn't expect responses like those. Thank you. And yeah, it is really something. See I told you Andrea was special! The irony is that if I boarded at her barn I couldn't afford to take lessons from her!
She's the one who found a person to haul Peaches for me. Gerald said he would, then he was too busy, then the two weeks when he could he decided I should wait until the end of my job's probation IN JANUARY! He said, and I quote, "I'll haul her in January IF IT ISN'T TOO COLD". I dare anyone to come up with a more stupid sentence for MINNESOTA! I said, even if I don't get to keep the job WE CAN ALWAYS BRING HER BACK HOME! He hadn't thought of that one... Sheesh!
So now it'll cost me $500. And you know what?! I'm going to spend it!
Because keeping the $500 doesn't get me closer to my horse dream. What good is my money if I can't have the life I love?! Who wouldn't spend $500 to have a life with a horse, learning her, her learning me? Feeling like a real human being, feeling good about myself instead of imagining and hoping and wishing and waiting.
Another thing I'm doing at the same time is, with all of my might, changing how I eat and what I eat. Not a diet but to overcome an overpowering compulsion to eat for comfort. Today I really had to come face to face with the fact that I can't have a change in my body if I keep doing the same thing. Right now its brute willpower and I have times I just crumble. But I'm on a mission.
This re-creating and transforming my life is what horses are to me. To have a dream come true. Something that definitely wouldn't happen without making it happen, on purpose, not by accident and certainly not because its easy. Working very hard, concentrating very hard to do my job, to eat right, to face my fear/unease/lack of confidence on so many levels.
But I keep one weakness and that's popsicles. And not the cheap kind, the real fruit juice kind too. I eat at least two a night... okay three LOL Please don't let me have to give them up too!
|
|
|
|
Post by horselady on Oct 2, 2014 0:28:35 GMT
In response to you realizing that it is pretty easy to get into a horses head. just keep his feet moving and he starts to listen to you his leader and companion. regardless how old the horse is or his training. the method of direction is always needed. there are 4 directions as i was taught many years ago. they are up . down. side to side (left than right) so you are doing what your instincts are telling you to do. and when you get nervous or the horse is jittery. make those feet move by using your hands for side to side. and your feet for forward and back. as for your indulgence of fruit pops. go for it. you have come to realize that you can take care of you and no one else will or can do that. just by eliminating carbs and some starch and eating healthy. more fruit, veggies. and high proteins will make better body fuel. hurray for you for wanting to take the steps forward in your life and your horse.  |
|
hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
|
Post by hugs on Oct 2, 2014 0:54:00 GMT
I'm reminded of a math student I was teaching at the tribal college. I had written a problem on the board and was asking the students to tell me the answer by way of telling me how to answer it. A few tried and gave up, they heard "almost" (I always said "almost" instead of "no") and quit, didn't try again, but she kept trying. So I devoted my full attention to her and told her that she was thinking past the question I had put on the board, that she needed to simplify. Long story short she finally got it and was so surprised at how easy it was when she limited herself to the question and not everything she knew about the question. But along the way she felt that I was telling her how stupid she was when in fact I was saying the exact opposite.
Perhaps the same thing happens to me with horses. I see everything about a horse I want to know and learn but I wasn't focusing on the here and now; he moved his feet, I want them to be still, so I move him backward, get his attention and then ask him to stop again.
I can do that. I understand that. It suits me because it isn't all technical and I don't have to remember anything too complicated. And it is easy to do because whatever the horse is doing that isn't what I asked him to do, my job is to back him up.
That backing like that calms me too. Andrea is a real calming influence.
I also notice how when someone pays me a compliment I don't take it that way, I wonder what they have up their sleeve and I don't believe them, they have a hidden agenda. That attitude is like eating cake as a way to get thin. German chocolate cake... with chocolate mint ice cream.
|
|
mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
|
Post by mistersmom on Oct 2, 2014 1:14:15 GMT
Good for you  - for doing what it takes to reach some goals and for taking charge of your health as well! It's not easy but you can do it. |
|
hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
|
Post by hugs on Oct 2, 2014 1:25:50 GMT
Thank you... maybe after a while life won't be so gosh darn difficult? I sure hope so..
|
|
|
|
Post by horselover4life on Oct 2, 2014 1:34:28 GMT
Keep at it...a work in progress, and progress it is. Yay........... Good progress with understanding and realization that "You can do this!!" and now are beginning to see a dream come true!  Just wait till Peaches gets a taste of the new you!!!!  Go for it...and ENJOY the journey!! |
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on Oct 2, 2014 1:42:48 GMT
Actually I am not a mint chocolate fan, but I do love it when the student teaches the teacher. I think that is what you are doing. Some people just have an instinct. Mine is more with dogs, but I believe yours is with horses. I am jealous,,, a lot.
We are a predator species, and yet, when it comes to handling horses we must convince them, that we are not a predator, but still in charge. We are lead mare. We can kick their butt, but not eat it. There is so much to learn, and so many languages to speak. I am really enjoying your learning experience. I can only hope that one day I will be smart enough, to be able to use one of the lessons you are teaching us. |
|
hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
|
Post by hugs on Oct 2, 2014 11:07:42 GMT
Peaches had a "taste" of me with her right hind foot not that long ago. Then I had that foot "taste" the corral dirt in a figure 8 at a lope until there was Total understanding that hooves and thighs should never meet.
Diamond, I don't understand at all what you are saying. I mean, I understand what you are saying but not about what I've been saying, not about me. I know a couple little techniques is all. lease explain, okay?
????
|
|
hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
|
Post by hugs on Oct 2, 2014 11:08:20 GMT
Oh and Diamond, you can have Rocky Road or whatever your little heart desires :-)
|
|
hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
|
Post by hugs on Oct 3, 2014 7:54:36 GMT
Diamond, I see now, I've read a few of your other posts and realize, what I already knew of course but didn't know it applied here, you're saying what you're saying because you're a sweetheart! Perhaps you're being too hard on yourself? Perhaps if you think your horses are unruly its that they're really trying for you but they're in the learning stages yet and haven't quite gotten all of their bodies to comply? I've seen that in dogs, horses and people; they think that they're doing what is being asked of them but in addition there is a whole lotta other stuff going on that is kind of masking the "answer". I don't know but I don't want to get too swell of a head, just enough of a one  |
|
hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
|
Post by hugs on Oct 6, 2014 4:24:42 GMT
I had a no nonsense hour with Mrs. Peach Pit today focusing on the lessons I'd been learning including a really fast and easy way to tie her. Gerald just had knee surgery a couple days ago so he didn't hold Peaches but he did give me moral support, so that was nice. I didn't take 'no' for an answer about cleaning her feet and while she was able to pull her feet away from me on a couple of occasions I got right back and we got 'er done  I have to admit I got kinda angry with her when she was really kicking around with her back foot. I spanked her side, not hard, but the message was clear. I went around three times to clean her feet so that there was no mistake that this was going to be a regular thing from now on. She flexed her neck fairly well, kinda sticky on the right side, but practice will take care of that. I've tried to get her to go sideways which I don't do well, I think I'm not being clear enough or she doesn't see the point. Either way, I think getting her more accustomed to moving away from pressure will help that. She did pretty well with the head down cue, so that's good. A couple times she dipped her head down to go for the grass, so that didn't count of course. She will always try to do things her way. She is such a brat sometimes. Then I had her stand tied for about 5 minutes or thereabouts. She called out once. Pawed once and that was about it. Next time we'll work on that for longer and I'll leave the corral every so often and we'll see how that goes. The folks where I'm going to board Peaches will haul her to their place for 1/2 of what the other folks would charge, so that's a no brainer. Oct 19th, is the day, cross your fingers the weather is good. They were going to do it this Sunday but given we had a  storm Friday night and Gerald just had surgery, I thought it better to put it off. |
|
mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
|
Post by mistersmom on Oct 6, 2014 12:44:52 GMT
Great update! I can't wait to see Peachy in her new home. Good job showing her who is boss!
|
|
|
|
Post by horselover4life on Oct 6, 2014 13:21:17 GMT
Sounds wonderful....
A whole new perspective and response you received from Peaches....
It takes time and Peaches is working hard to please you as you now ask and expect her to respond appropriately, she will.
She has already figured out there is a new "me" in the house...now she is working on giving to you those correct responses!!
Excellent!!!!
You go girl....you go!!!
|
|
hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
|
Post by hugs on Oct 6, 2014 22:50:42 GMT
You know, I'm really looking forward to the beatings on a regular basis  Man, Peaches was really nuzzling/nibbling me, trying to take back her place, but I simply waved her off with my elbow or whatever, wouldn't let her get into my space unless I asked for it. I'm not sure if it was John Lyons or who, but they were saying if you have a horse who wants to nubble on you all of the time, then give them that much attention and more by rubbing all over their nose until they take it away. I've done it with Penny because she has been known to bite. I had to laugh when it backfired. Did the same with Peaches, I decided that I was fascinated with her lips and nose. Too bad I can't do the same thing with her hoof. I'm so grateful for these lessons I've been taking or I would never of been able to remain calm and do what I did. To tell you the truth I was on the edge of my comfort zone, I was pushed to my limit of assertiveness. Like I said before, I can only do what I know to do and no more. That's what I'm telling my instructor, I'm not interested in riding lessons if I can't handle a horse! Only time will tell if Peaches will be a reliable partner. Sure hope so. |
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on Oct 7, 2014 1:53:12 GMT
Goodness you are already having to deal with ? So far we have only had a couple of freezes. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for the 19th.
I think I have mentioned this before, but the trainer I had work with Diamond said, she wasn't the horse for me. She was to spoiled, to pushy, to dangerous for me. BUT.... She and I have worked into a wonderful friendship. I understand her, and I think she understands me. She has a huge personality.
I think Miss Peach, has a huge personality too. She just needs to find the right person that she can work with. If you and Gerald, will buy and re-fit a car for Schoenie then you will allow Miss Peach to be the mare she is, and do what she is capable of doing.
I know I always say things wrong, so please let me try to explain. Diamond is very cowy. She loves to pivot and cut the boys. She likes to put them in a corner and make them stay there until she is ready to let them leave. Now, she has never seen a cow, and has never been trained to be a cow horse, but she has the ability to be a great cow horse. The problem it she hates cowboys. She wants to be asked to do things, rather than told. She doesn't care about her breeding, or her capabilities. She likes to cuddle, and be asked, politely to do things. When she was with the trainer they were at war. She finally did the things he told her to do, because he had spurs and a whip. She reared and went over with him, she bucked, and nearly kicked him through the side of the barn.
The way you have described Peaches, she seems a lot like Diamond. She wants to be treated, like she wants to be treated. ((She is a female, don't we all?)) She doesn't want some cowboy, with an agenda coming into her life, and trying to force her to do things that she doesn't want to do.
I don't think you have an agenda. I don't think you have a time limit, on when she needs to be doing this or that, for you. You aren't cutting her any slack, but you are understanding, and are treating her like she is an individual.
JMO, but I think, once you have more time to spend with her, you two are going to have a really good time. You will both learn from each other, and develop a relationship. |
|
- for doing what it takes to reach some goals and for taking charge of your health as well! It's not easy but you can do it. 
I have to admit I got kinda angry with her when she was really kicking around with her back foot. I spanked her side, not hard, but the message was clear. I went around three times to clean her feet so that there was no mistake that this was going to be a regular thing from now on.
storm Friday night and Gerald just had surgery, I thought it better to put it off.