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Discussion on Terrified of cows? | |
Author | Message |
New Member: Barnbrat |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 23, 2002 - 10:20 am: I really beleive time and patience are the key. Also...as stated before. No punishment! A lot of praise and exposure. If you have friends to ride with that aren't bothered by cows or actually are cowy then ask them to come along on your ride. When your horse see's that the other horses are fine with it he will get the idea best that way. It's like crossing a stream for the first time. If the novice sees other horses...He usually thinks it's fine to go ahead and cross. Ride with people and horses that are REALLY comfortable with the spooky, monster thing no matter what it is and it should shave a ton of time off of your training! Horses are Herd animals that follow a leader. They are creatures of habbit. If you don't let bad habits start...There won't be any! Good, good luck!!!!!May the Horse be with you! Wendy |
Member: Jvinoly |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 23, 2002 - 11:42 am: Our 3 were also afraid of cows. A range cow broke through the fence to maybe spend the night. I phoned the owner and asked if I could keep her for a couple days. The thundering of hoofs was the order of the day for a few hours, then they just ignored her. She insisted on grazing with them, and there was no avoiding her. We watched closely in case of injury, but they take cows in stride now. |
Member: Penner |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 23, 2002 - 7:11 pm: We have roping steers & my neighbor's horses, the 1st few weeks (2-3), really noticed them when we 1st got them (raised heads, snorting, prancing, racing around their enclosure etc).The enclosure is right next to where we keep the steers. Over the 2 years now, they got used to them a long time ago & pay them no attention. The only time they now pay attention is when we rope & I think its the clanking of the chutes that gets the heads up. Further, after the heads go up, they peer over the fence to watch whats going on! I think the neighbor's horses (which are young =< 4 yo) are really just looking for an excuse to run around & have fun (IMHO horses think running is fun). Plus, they are not ridden all that much (1ce a week or so). My neighbor's don't mind & think its a good exposure for their horses (so as to learn not to be spooky around new things or loud noises). You might try several times going with your horse to look at the cows (& feeding your horse some treats while you are doing it! This might make it a more pleasant experience for him/her, plus a little more of a distraction away from the cows. ) Also, consider trying taking an old saddle blanket (that you don't need) & rub it in some old little bit of cow dung & hang it near your horse's stall (for days), until he gets absolutely gets used to the smells, & you can eventually even wave that saddle blanket (with the funny smell) all around him & he doesn't pay attention. I have an Arab that I inherited (I'm kinda a Qtr horse person), but this is how I got him to accept the steers. & over time, I am now actually roping (heeling) on an Arabian, believe it or not!! |