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Discussion on Wierd | |
Author | Message |
Member: Gwen |
Posted on Sunday, Dec 18, 2005 - 3:17 pm: I am curious what everyone thinks about this... One of my geldings is very laid back and takes everything in stride. He typically trailers fine, loads well and stands well-alone or with company. However, Murphy's Law states that when someone comes to take your horse on trial-they make a liar out of you. SO, we loaded him on the trailer and went in the house to fill out paperwork. After about fifteen minutes, he started really acting up, pawing and kicking the trailer. He was very worked up. My other horse was yelling to him from out back, but I am not sure why he started pulling these antics today. Any thoughts? |
Member: Corinne |
Posted on Sunday, Dec 18, 2005 - 3:51 pm: We all have off days....perhaps he was really missing his buddy, or nervous since he did not know the new handler. Was it her trailer? Perhaps there were differences in the lighting etc if it was a trailer he was not used to. Could have been the weather...maybe a combination of all. Maybe he wasn't feeling well....?Don't we wish we could predict which days the off days would be? Hopefully he will settle in and will make a good impression on the potential buyer...hopefully she will understand that it's a stressful change for him and won't judge too quickly. Good luck! v/r Corinne |
Member: Quatro |
Posted on Sunday, Dec 18, 2005 - 8:46 pm: Hey Gwen, I had the same experience with our new horse Clyde. The day we bought him, we were talking at the back of the trailer and he waltzed right on, dragging us behind him. He did fine for the 2 hour ride home. 2 weeks later I put him on the trailer by himself, loaded just fine, but once he was on, and no one else was coming he threw a fit. He pawed and slammed into the side. When we arrived to ride, I opened the window, and if he could have he would have leaped out, I had to finally shut the window for fear he would somehow slither out of the small space. When the other horse arrived he calmed down, but was really sweaty. I wondered if he had found a wonderful home, and was worried that we were sending him off again. (Putting human thoughts in an animal, I know) I have not had him on the trailer since, weather toooooo cold, but am curious as to how he will do.Interesting creatures aren't they suz |
Member: Gwen |
Posted on Monday, Dec 19, 2005 - 6:52 am: I heard back from the girl who is taking him on trial and about 2 miles up the road he settled and apparently handled the ride very well.Corinne, you are right that it could have been any of those things. Susan, isn't it a terrible feeling to see them like that? Hopefully your next ride will be less eventful! |
Member: Qh4me |
Posted on Monday, Dec 19, 2005 - 2:13 pm: Wonder if it was the 15 minutes of waiting in the trailer that did it. I know anytime I have bought or sold a horse, we have loaded up and took off before they got too much time to think about the situation...hmmm this isn't my trailer...my buddies aren't with me....where am I going etc.You just never know what goes through their heads! Especially when he settled down later on in the ride. His mind was just likely racing a little too much and he got aggitated. |
Member: Quatro |
Posted on Wednesday, Apr 5, 2006 - 9:06 pm: The weather is finally nice, so starting to work the horses. I put Clyde on the trailer, and his buddy Levi right behind him. this is a slant load trailer. Levi was calm. Clyde started pawing, eyes wide, starting to sweat. Should I correct him for pawing, or ignore this. I kept them on for about 1/2 hour. Everytime he would stand quiet I would offer him a cracker. I took Levi off and he carried on, pawing head bobbing. I waited until he stood quiet and then took him off the trailer. Is it possible that the slant load is too confining? He really walks right on, and did so when we got him. Also, one more thing he is sooooo herd bound. When we got him the horse trader guy walked up to him in the pasture, threw a bridle on and rode him away from the herd. He was pretty quiet. Now, as soon as Levi left the barn he was working up a lather, because his friend was gone. Someone suggested using a calming agent to work on practicing trailer comfort. Anyone have any experience, and what would I use?thanks kinda frustrated with the new guy. This is supposed to be the calm horse for my husband. suz |
Member: Brandi |
Posted on Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 - 8:28 pm: Susan, I have two horses who can behave exactly the same way, neither is a head leader, both MUST have solid leadership to feel safe and secure in any environment. It seems as tho Clyde might be feeling the same way. In the trailer with a divider at their head (if your slant is like mine) where they can't readily see the other horse--or god forbid there IS NO OTHER HORSE--they just get so nervous. I can't give you any help for "fixing" the trailer behavior, except maybe try one of those stall mirrors as discussed in another post. But for the herd-bound behavior, I've found that the more time I spend being a good leader for my horse (tons of groundwork, natural horsemanship stuff), the more comfortable and safe he feels when it's just the two of us. But that means that if your husband is ever going to ride him without you directly present, he will have to establish himself as that good leader as well. Your horse just seems insecure, and patience with trusting solid leadership is probably the only cure. That's just my opinion, but may be why he was so comfortable with the horse-trader guy--remember that some folks get respect almost automatically and some have to work really hard for it, so I'm not saying this guy was the consummate horseman, but for whatever reason, Clyde may have felt secure around him. Good luck. And if I decide to try the mirrors, I'll let ya know. I've been considering it--but I've also been considering a whole new trailer so we'll see. |
Member: Muffi |
Posted on Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 - 11:10 pm: My horses had the same problem with the trailer. They originally Ran in the trailer. come on Mom lets go for a ride. Every weekend I was taking them for Training lessons and the second time he was hesitant. Going and down right BAD coming home. Rearing and pawing that air. That is not normal at all. It is a two horse straight load. We figured it out.two separate things - one to get him in there I would walk in front of him and PULL. that is when he started rearing. Eventually we figured it out. Just tap him o the but and tell him to Walk ON. and low and behold he did. it was better if ou didn't go in with him. He now walks right in. ALSO. we live on a dirt road and it's pretty dusty and rutted. We slowed done a LOT. we go about 5 - 10 MPHs out to the main tar road. That give him a smoother ride. I think the combination helped the trailering. Now the two of they are VERY Herd bound Comet it the Alpha and Midnight is the follower. What I had to do to get Midnite (my husbands horse that I ride from time to time) out on his own is to take him out a ways, say 50 feet. and then turn around and come back. then go 50 feet the other direction. Gradually expanding that more and more till now there is no problem. You see. he does trust me . like Brandi Said. You need to show them that you are a member of their herd too so they can feel comfortable with you. My Husband still gets a Giggy Horse when ever he tried to take him out alone which is practially never. but I would like to see him ride him more like that - Its getting better. I think he is actually falling in love with his horse! YEA I know I fell for mine two seconds after I First saw him. go slow with the rides and you will get him out of there just fine alone. |
Member: Quatro |
Posted on Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 - 11:11 pm: Thanks so much for responding Brandi I have been working with both boys for the last few days. I put them both on the trailer at different locations, and I put a hay bag in for both of them. This added distraction really helped. I then took them off the trailer and tied them together, spent some time brushing them. Seems to be calming. Each day for the past 3, I have taken each from the barn separately and had them walk, whoa, turn, back, some basic on lead ground work. The one in the barn is screaming of course, but then we just keep working, walking past the barn door on occasion. Then we are rewarded by a little ground grazing and brushing. Then we did about 1/2 hour round pen work. Levi does perfect, follows his instructions, but Clyde does not know much about round pen work, we are learning. He mostly just zoomed around. But today he responded to an "easy" command, a walk and a whoa and came up to me! YEH!I have a horrible habit of spoiling my horses rotten. I train dogs, so understand the alpha position, just seem to have a harder time being the herd head honcho. But I think you are right, they are looking for that confidence from me. I need to mentally work on me to deliver that! My husband will never ride without me, If it doesn't have a motor he prefers not to operate it, he only rides because he's a good husband. I have to ride the snowmobiles in trade Will keep you posted! |
Member: Quatro |
Posted on Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 - 11:20 pm: Hey Muffi, we must have posted at almost exactly the same time. Thanks for your advice also. Clyde still runs on the trailer, I am feeling much better, having made time to work the horses, rather than just hang out with them, like I do a gazillion times a day. I was almost ready to sell Clyde the other day, but feel much better after putting in the time. He is a really sweet boy. It is hard having 4 horses and one of me. I wish my husband was more into the horses, but I am happy that he is at least trying!We are heading to Arizona the end of the month for a few days, hope your weather is getting toasty, I am ready for that! thanks suz |
Member: Brandi |
Posted on Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - 3:48 am: Susan, I'm glad you are seeing a little success, and I'm glad you didn't get so far as to actually sell Clyde! I've always wanted one, so if it didn't work out for you, somehow, that would tarnish my dream! Ha. I have 4 horses too, and though lucky enough to have a horse-loving hubby--he's a work-a-holic with a capital "W", so I do 98% of it myself (though he would say only 75%, but how could he know, he's never there!! Ha ha). But even so I've still had to take dance lessons and trips out of the country (both I find completely annoying) to balance the scales! Anyway, I am replying because of an interesting "herd honcho" story that stands as the reason I asked about your husband riding alone. Once I asked my niece to pony my emotionally insecure Apache while riding our herd leader (which I did occasionally while he was rehabbing, so he was familiar with the whole situation), but Apache was a complete handful for her and she had to stop for her own safety, all because he didn't have confidence in her. I found that so interesting, because I assumed that since she was riding the herd leader, that he would find enough comfort in that--since the presence of his "boss" was usually enough to get him through anything. And the lead horse was calm and comfortable when she was riding him, so it wasn't as if my boy was feeding off of some bad energy. Once I returned to him, we was fine. So, while annoying, it was kinda cool to realize just how much security he got from me. Thank goodness, and he darned well should have, we spent a lot of time together! Good luck and just keep spending the time with them. Remember that they really, really want good leadership, so keep spoiling Clyde all you want, so long as you're spoiling him with great leadership! |
Member: Quatro |
Posted on Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - 10:17 pm: Thanks for the encouragement. Today was not such a good day. It was windy, so the horses were a little ditzy. I rode Levi for a bit in the round pen. He did fair. Then I put the saddle and bit on Clyde, put him in the round pen, disconnected the reins and off he goes tucking and bucking and running and bucking. I mean not just silly kicking but really bucking enough to make me think I did not want to get on board. I ran him around the round pen, finally got him to go easy and whoa, and then walk. He walked up to me and then followed me around the round pen without a lead rope one, but after watching the bucking, I chickened out, and put him up. Could this be just Spring? I am having the vet out tomorrow for shots, and will have him check his teeth. I suppose it could be the saddle but I have no clue how to check and see if it does not fit him properly. No trainers close by to work with! Also he doesn't buck in the round pen without the saddle, but is agitated when he is alone. Sometimes it is discouraging, I just want a nice boring horse I can jump on and ride off into the sunset. I have to wonder if it is me, or just that all horses need work. Dusty and Cody, the older boys never needed round pen work, just got on and went! Sorry for whining, maybe a better day on the morrow!Suz |