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Catherine Thomas (Cthomas)
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 6, 2001 - 8:03 am: |   |
Brought a new horse home (I have always boarded, so this is a new experience!). How long do I need to let this horse "chill out" before I do anything with him? I know all horses are different but if anyone can shed some light on this I'd be grateful.
This is an 8 year old gelding, who will be alone here until next week when my other horse arrives. I saddled, bridled and rode him at his old place - no problem. When I brought the saddle out here (just to see if the size was right) he thought it was a booger (you know, the kind that causes a horse to reveal the whites of the eyes and is accompanied by dramatic snorting and blowing) After talking to him about it for a while and letting him smell it - he let me put it on his back (although he jumped a little).
Additionally, he is used to wearing a halter all the time (which I don't think is a good idea). I don't make him wear one here until I need to do something with him (groom, etc). Catching him has been an experience (he is a different animal with a halter on). Any thoughts on whether I should continue that practice of keeping him perpetually haltered? |
Bonita (Bonita)
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 6, 2001 - 10:50 am: | |
Hi Catherine - You're right, all horses are different about this. I went through the same thing - brought a new horse home alone. It took my guy about a week to settle in to the point where he seemed quiet enough to hop on - but I think this is something you will have to play by ear. Remember - your safety first!
As far as the haltering/catching - I agree with you and don't like turning my guys out with halters either. What I would do if I were you is try to spend as much time as possible doing the old "bring some grain or other treat to where he's turned out, take as long as possible to entice him to be haltered, give treat, remove halter & leave". Enough repetitions of this will usually convince even the most diehard holdout to realize that every time you catch him doesn't mean it's time to work. Once this sinks in, you won't need the food reward anymore.
Good luck!
Bonnie |
mindy franklin (Mindy)
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 6, 2001 - 2:26 pm: | |
I got some good advice going through the same experience. Once you do ride your horse ride in an enclosed area until you are sure your horse is obedient to your cues. Then you will be safer to take him out. Also about the halter thing if you want to avoid being mauled for treats, which could happen, catch your horse tie them up and then feed there grain from a bowel or if you don't want to hold it, a hanging feeder. Do that every time they eat and that will reinforce the catching and tying. |
Holly Edwards (Hwood)
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 6, 2001 - 7:04 pm: | |
Catherine,
Congratulations!! By the time you get this, I don't know how long you would have had your horse at his new location, but I find it very helpful to walk all the fences with a new horse, especially if there are no pasture veterans around, and if you feel more confident on the ground with him than on top, walk him around your neighborhood past all the "scary" things he may encounter once you start riding. Don't expect him to be afraid of things (by that I mean don't tense up), but just confidently introduce him to his new environment with all its sounds, roads, dogs, mailboxes, streams, etc. I always feel more confident on top than on the ground, but Mindy's suggestion about checking the responsiveness of the horse in a safe area before you take him out, is a good one. It will depend on your horse and on your skill as a rider/trainer, but do put your safety and that of your horse first.
Definitely do not leave the halter on your horse unless you are going to be there all the time to check on him. Besides leaving awful marks on the horse's head, you know that it is dangerous. If you have an opportunity to learn any of the natural horsemanship methods regarding catching your horse by teaching him to come to you, I highly recommend it. The way I learned has taken a lot of work initially with most horses, but believe me, it pays off in the end, and it is fun to be able to call your horse and have him come, not because he thinks he is going to get something from you, but because you have trained him to understand and respond to your communication.
Happy Horsemanship!!
Holly |
Holly Zukowski
Member
Username: Cowgrl
Post Number: 261
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 21, 2004 - 2:04 pm: | |
I generally wait about 4-5 days before starting to ride a new horse or when I change living quarters. This gives the horse time to get used to the surroundings and the feeding schedule so he's a little more relaxed. By the end of the 5th day they're ready to do something so saddle up and enjoy.
My little mustang can be a booger to catch when he feels like it. That's when I take the lunge whip out and make him move around his paddock at a good fast clip. By the third or fourth lap he's ready to come up to me. After I release him he wants to stay with me and follows me everywhere. I guess he realizes that being with me is a good thing because we end each session with a good ear and eye rubbing which he loves. He was dozing off yesterday while I rubbed his eyes. |
