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Discussion on Teaching horses to go around obstacles
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 2, 2007 - 4:07 pm:
Is it just me or are most horses pretty stupid about the idea of going around an obstacle instead of standing there or running up and down in a panic?
I have one paddock where the horses have to enter the walkway to get down to the yard (food) and the water at the top end of the field. If they hear food type noises they will stand at the bottom (where they can't get out but it's closest to what they want) for ages until some bright spark works out to walk to the top of the field and into the walkway.
Some horses seem to be stupider than others about this type of thing. Has anyone successfully trained their horse to come around the obstacle not stand there looking hopeful waiting for a human to fix it?
All the best
Imogen
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 2, 2007 - 5:03 pm:
In an earlier thread I told that my horses are trained to the command " go around ". Two learned it my themselves the other two needed help. If you led them around whatever and use the command and then lengthn the lead rope and give them time it will work! Pretty soon lead rope is gone and horses "go round" it also helps if there is a mustang in the bunch  If you don't want to mess with lead rope use a lure to get them where you want. Cindy
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Monday, Sep 3, 2007 - 4:37 pm:
The problem is there are currently 4 horses in that area. Three will get in the walkway. One (it varies which one) will miss the entrance and walk beside the walkway and get stuck in the field and panic. If it's my eventing mare she then just jumps the tape (that's fine as long as she clears it) while any of the others just run around in hysterics.
What I usually do is catch her, then keep going down the walkway and backing up if not successful in getting them all "Indian file". Time consuming... I think I need that Mustang.
Imogen
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Monday, Sep 3, 2007 - 4:49 pm:
Will they follow a jingling grain can? My girlfriend used that a lot ! and yes there always is one. Our gelding was ours so took him small steps at a time fiveft at most and it did dawn on him that if he was slow getting there the mustang was all done, Ymmmm! Cindy
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 4, 2007 - 11:50 am:
I know the problem Imogen, first I tried to help them walking with a bucket with feed to the opening in the fence, then ofcourse you get in between four horses who want the bucket and not run to the feedthrough[?]. Then if you insist they find there way alone 3 of them do and the fourth panics by being left behind etc.
I got so tired of this stupid behaviour I brought food in this one paddock with'a problem'.
I still am sure the horse laugh their heads of behind my back.
Jos
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 5, 2007 - 6:58 am:
I feel that none of them are so stupid that they cannot learn this but sometimes I wonder... the eventing mare still did not learn even though twice she has jumped into a paddock with no water all day and not much grass. It works ok if I catch her first but if she is the one left behind there are fireworks!
Imogen
Imogen
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 5, 2007 - 12:34 pm:
If I'm panicked I act stupid too[perhaps I am ] but I meant to say as soon as they get excited and certainly if they panick my horses seem to loose all of their intelligence!
Perhaps another opening in the gate is the easiest [and safest] solution but I am a worry wart and always think give them what they want before I need the vet.
Jos
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 8, 2007 - 8:12 pm:
You might try feeding them some hay at the entrance to the walkway and then each day put the hay a little further down until you finally reach the goal. Break it down into small steps.
Cynthia
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 9, 2007 - 2:15 am:
Everyone has now learned how to use the walkway except the eventing mare and that's because she does not want to be caught...
The half-Irish draught one pops down regularly to the gate on her own just to check on food possibilities...
Imogen
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Member:
canderso
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 9, 2007 - 9:40 pm:
Ah that ID blood. SOoooOOOO motivated by food, and ever the optimist!
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